Asia

[Visited: March 2024]

It has been a long drive through valleys and mountains, and after a detour to Zangpokdalri monastery, we finally make it to Bomdila. The late afternoon sun is shining on the mountain town in Arunachal Pradesh, and after having been sitting in a car for most of the day, I feel an urge to move. Looking at my phone, I decide to attempt to reach the monastery of Bomdila on foot. It is doubtful whether I can make it before nightfall, but at least I can try. I walk up one of the main streets, climbing always higher the mountain slopes against which the city is built. The colours of the houses get a warm glow, but I only have little time to enjoy the views. I take a shortcut at a small roundabout, walk past roadworks and have a short conversation with a bright couple of students who are also on their way up.
After a while, I am high enough to get always better views. Below me, I see clouds rolling onto the flanks of the mountain on which Bomdila lies. There are groups of trees sticking prominently into the sky. It is not only getting darker because the day is about to end, but also because the clouds are taking away the sunlight. When I finally reach Bomdila monastery, clouds are sticking to the mountain slope, sucking out the light of the afternoon. Below me, I see a two-story building around an open field, where young monks are playing badminton. On the balconies, I see many dark red robes hanging to dry. Behind the building, trees are pointing towards the sky against the backdrop of clouds. These monks have a great location to live in, even though they might not even realize it.
There is a building with prayer wheels, and people turning them as they walk along. Behind the parking lot, I find the temple of the monastery. It is closed, and I can only have an outside look at it. I am in a hurry now, and want to see more of the compound before nightfall. Eventually, I walk down in the dark, have a good dinner before turning on the electric layer on the mattress of my bed because at this altitude (around 2200 metres), it gets pretty cold at night. The next day, my driver takes me straight to Bomdila monastery again. Even though I have seen it already, I hope to be able to enter this time. There are no monks playing, and when I arrive at the temple, I see a morning ceremony with all monks in a courtyard, all dressed in their uniform dark red robe. I watch and listen as they go trhough their rituals. Then, it is time to move on: we still have a long way to drive, further north.

Around the World in 80 Clicks

inspiring you to travel

(India)

> India > Asia

[Visited: March 2024]

Around the World in 80 Clicks