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Right at the top of north-eastern India, crowning its six clustered sisters like a protective helmet, is Arunachal Pradesh, the `Land of the Dawn-lit- Mountains.' This is the first Indian soil to greet the morning sun. Arunachal Pradesh is India's largest north-eastern state, and also its remotest.The fascination grows slowly during the two hour journey from the airport in Lilabari, Assam, to the capital of Naharlagun(Itanagar).The drive from Naharlagun to the new capital in the hills, Itanagar metres, is enchanting.The road winds through that magical country where tropical evergreen rain forests meet temperate Himalayan jungles.In the rich tropical forests of the Tirap district, clusters of the beautiful blue vanda (Vanda Coerulea) adorn the trees. Their large blue - violet blooms are delicately veined. The bamboo orchid, Arundina Graminifolia, a pretty evergreen species attractive pink - purple flowers is common in open sunny areas near Tipi.The visitor should stop at the far side of the bridge that spans the Pachim River. There is an attractive village below and to the right of the road leading to Itanagar. Most of the houses are built at ground level but at least one is on stilts.
Arunachal has 26 major tribes and many sub-tribes living in 3649 scattered villages. Although a number of tribal groups constitue the total population, the density of population is very less. People are Mangoloid stock but each tribe has certain distinct characteristics in language, dress & costume.Their colourful festivals are manifestations of their faith and belief. There are the gently and cultured Monpas of West Kameng who received Buddhism from Padma Sambhava; the Thongi (Sherdukpens) whoes chiefs trace their treaty relationships with the powers in the valley to a thousand years back; the Hrusso who for thirty generations have patronised Vaishnava scholars; the proud Bangni-Nishi and the Tagin typifying the ancient Indian ideal of the honourable warrior; the Adis and Mishmis who are eager to build academic careers; the Apatanis with their marvels of wet-rice cultivation; the Khampti in their magnificent ceremonial robes and the peaceful, progressive Nocte, Wancho and Tangsa.
The people of Arunachal are the greatest attraction of this beautiful land. And even in the capital at Itanagar, the visitor comes across Nishi warriors wearing their 'bopiah' hornbill caps, carrying their 'chokh' bearskin bags with their 'oyjo' knives in their monkey-skin 'burkhey' scabbards. But the visitor should not be misled by their appearance.