BUMLA PASS

BUMLA PASS 

Heap of stone as tribute to Indian Army and Mighty Himalaya at bumla outpost.

Bumla pass is one of the most well known mountain pass of India. Located at about 37 km away from Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh at the Indo-China border above 15,200 ft. above sea level. It is an old traders route from Tawang via Milakatongla pass to Bumla and finally to Tsona Dzong in Tibet.

In 1962 Indo-Sino war People’s Liberation Army of China invaded India through this pass and in Bumla pass one of the most fiercest battle took place in 1962 war, therefore this pass is also important in terms of defensive strategy. After the cease fire this pass was closed for national security reasons.

In 2006, Bumla pass was re-opened for the traders for the first time in 44 years. Traders from both sides of the pass were permitted to enter each other’s territory in addition to postal workers from each country.

Sangester Tso :-

                              In tibetian language Tso means Lake. On the way to Bumla pass there is a lake called as Sangester Tso which is also popularly known as Madhuri lake which was featured in movie koyla. The lake is about 20 km away from Tawang and about 7km beyond the bifurcation of the road leading to Bumla.

Front view of Madhuri/Sangester lake.

Indo-China Border Personal meeting point :-

                                                                                 It is one of the 5 Official BPM (Border Personal Meeting) Point between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army of China for regular consultations and interrogations between both Armies to improve relations. Bumla pass is under one of the three regions under the LAC (Line of Actual Control) between India and China.

Visit by civilians :-

                               Visit by civilian of India is permitted with permission of the Indian Army. A special permit is required to visit the Bumla pass. Permit can be requested at the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Tawang and same has to be approved by the Indian Army Cantonment of Tawang so, that permit is cleared to pass numerous Army check post on the route.

The condition of route to Bumla is very treacherous and prone to landslides and during heavy snow fall and rainfall the route becomes dangerous for travelling and sometimes road is blocked by landslide or snowfall. However, the Indian army tries keeps the route open throughout the year and they are always ready to help and rescue peoples in problems. Best time to visit the pass is during summer and between month of October and January.

Lake on the route to Bumla.

The Outpost of Bumla.

Patrolling on LAC.

TAWANG WAR MEMORIAL

 TAWANG WAR MEMORIAL

Front view of Tawang War Memorial

Tawang war memorial is a 40 ft high memorial dedicated to the martyrs of 1962 Indo-Sino war. This memorial is also known as “NAMGYAL CHORTEN” and it is similar to the design of a huge stupa. Over-looking the Tawang-chu valley, this memorial was constructed to remember those brave 2420 Indian soldiers who sacrificed their life for nation. Names of those brave martyrs are carved with golden letters on 32 black granite walls who laid down their lives in the Kameng sector

Tawang war memorial was blessed by the HH the 14 Dalai lama in 1997. Nestled among the picturesque snow capped mountains and overlooking the Tawang-chu valley, This scenic location ensures that the visitors get a chance to soak in the positive nature while admiring the martyrs.
The memorial is flatted by 2 memorial halls.-one, housing the personal artifacts and belongings of the martyrs, while other is used for a sound and light shows in the evening that depict the heroic deeds of the martyrs and the museum displays items used by the army during war, such as guns, bullets, helmet, mugs, pots etc. One can also learn more about the war from the newspaper clippings and maps marked with positions of both armies.
There is one black marble that reads “In the memory of those brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice defending the frontier of the Mother Land during the 1962 Indo-Sino war.” It was dedicated by Lt. General, HRS Kalkat, PVSM, AVSM; GOC IN-C Eastern Command on November 2ND 1999. The structure signifies eternal spirit and was constructed in according with the local religious practices.

Black granite stone with names of martyrs

Items used by the soldiers of 1962 war

Replica of the tawang town and area of battlefied during 1962 Indo-Sino war.