About Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal
Pradesh ,one of the most sparsely populated states of India, covers an area
of 83743 sq. Kms. This region acquired an independent political status in January
20, 1972, when it was declared as Union Territory under the name of Arunachal
Pradesh. The state of Arunachal Pradesh Bill was passed by the Parliament in
1986 and with effect from February 20, 1987 Arunachal Pradesh became the 24th
state of Indian Union.
Arunachal finds mention in the literature of Kalika Purana and Mahabharata.
This place is supposed to be the Prabhu Mountains of the Puranas. It was here
that sage Parashuram washed away his sin, sage Vyasa meditated, King Bhishmaka
founded his kingdom and Lord Krishna married his consort Rukmini.
It is a land of lush green forests, deep river valleys and beautiful plateaus.
The land is mostly mountainous with the Himalayan range along the northern borders
criss-crossed with ranges running north-south. These divide the state into five
river valleys: the Kameng, the Subansiri, the Siang, the Lohit and the Tirap.
All these are fed by snow from the Himalayas and countless rivers and rivulets.
The weather and the climate of Arunachal Pradesh are quite distinct from the
rest of the country. The climate of the State is dominated by the Himalayan
system and the altitudanal variations. The climate is highly hot and humid at
the lower altitudes and in the valleys covered by swampy dense forest particularly
in the eastern section, while it becomes exceedingly cold in the higher altitudes.
Average temperature during the winter months range from 15 to 21 degree celsius
and 22 to 30 degree celsius during monsoon.
Between June and August the temperature may go up to 40-42 degree celsius.The
rainfall of Arunachal Pradesh in amongst the heaviest in the country. The annual
average rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh is more than 350cm. There are 26 major
tribes and a number of sub-tribes inhabiting the area. Most of these communities
are ethnically similar, having derived from original Mongoloid stock but their
geographical isolation from each other has brought amongst them certain distinctive
characteristics in language, dress and customs.
Broadly,
the entire population may be divided into three cultural groups based on their
socio-politico-religious affinities. The Monpas and Sherdak Pens of Tawang and
West Kameng districts follow the lamaistic tradition of Mahayana Buddhism. Culturally
similar to them are Membas and Khembas who live in the high mountains along
the northern borders, Khamptis and Singphos inhabiting the eastern part of the
State are Buddhists of Hinayana sect. They are said to have migrated from Thailand
and Burma long ago and still using ancient scripts derived from their original
homeland.
The second group of people of Adis, Akas, Apatanis, Bungnis, Nishis, Mishmis,
Mijis, Thangsos etc. who worship the Sun and the Moon God, namely, Donyi-Polo
and Abo-Tani, the original ancestor for most of these tribes. Their religious
rituals, largely coincide with the phases of agricultural cycles. They traditionally
practise Jhuming or shifting cultivation. The third group comprises Noctes and
Wanchos in the Tirap district . These are hardy people known for their structured
village society in which the hereditary village chief still plays a vital role.
The Noctes also practise elementary form of Vaishnavism.
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Pradesh
