1.

Describe in your own words the author’s

journey to Tawang.
Or, “A Pilgrimage to Tawang” is an
authentic document of the tribal life of
Arunachal Pradesh”--- discuss the
statements.
Or, Why Elwin title his journey as “a
Pilgrimage to Tawang”.
Answer:-
Varrier Elwin was an anthropologist whose
work on Indian tribal life contributed much
to understand these people of high land. He
was fascinated by the Indian Culture and
travel widely throughout India and wrote
extensively about the different tribes,
especially of the north-eastern region. In
recognition to his work Elwin was made
Advisor of Tribal Affairs of the Government
of India. He was attracted towards
Buddhism and when he died in 1963 he was
cremated in Shillong according to Buddhist
rituals. His autobiography “The tribal world
of Varrier Elwin” is a remarkable piece of
writing characterized by keen observation
and empathy understanding from the north
eastern people. The present essay “A
Pilgrimage to Tawang” is an extract from
this book.
The essay is full of graphic description of
the natural beauty of North East Frontier
Agency(N.E.F.A., the present day Arunachal
Pradesh) and is marked by high degree
sympathy for the inhabitants of this region.
Elwin short observation, an eye for detail
and boundless spirit of adventure and
curiosity are main characteristics of this
writing. Whatever Elwin has described
throughout the essay, it has projected the
author’s deep sense of involvement with
the people of this area and his skillful
imaginative power mixed with realistic
presentation.
Elwin begins his account of the journey with
the description of the geographic religious
and political importance of Tawang. The
importance of this valley can be realized by
the fact that it was the first place at which
Dalai Lama had halted when he travelled
India seeking Political asylum(Shelter). The
first part of the journey leads the author
and his companions to Bomdila. He gives a
vivid description of the journey, its
problems and its joy which are adequate
compensation for all their troubles they had
to face.
From Bomdila they travelled to Dirang
where they met the people of Monpa
Tribes. Elwin describes different aspects of
Monpa life including their houses, their
dress code, their temple, their rituals and
their food habits. He also remembers the
warm hospitality, the pleasant atmosphere
and the loving care he received on this
occasion. Both he and his wife Lila along
with the other members of the expedition
really had a great time. Although, Elwin
himself found the better-tea that was
served to be a little over whelming for his
liking but others enjoyed it a lot. Tea was
followed by rice spirit, a strong drink that
he compares with Vodka. This strong drink
was offered to them in every village they
crossed.
Next the author describes their journey
from Dirang to the Sela Pass, once again the
hardship of the journey is forgotten in the
beauty of the nature. The journey
culminates in the Buddhists’ Monastery at
Tawang what makes the moment most
special is that they arrived at the monastery
on Buddha Purnima Day. Once again Elwin’s
fascination for Buddhism is evident here. He
does not speak of it as a journey but as a
pilgrimage. He states that, “It meant
something much more to me than the
ordinary official tour.” The Buddha Purhit
and the ceremonial procession made it all
important and spiritually engaging for the
visitors. Elwin watched the whole festival
from the Balcony of the Monastery and
found a divine inspiration within him.
In the second part of the essay Elwin
presents his journey through Lohit Valley to
Walong(district) and his meeting with the
people of various tribes. In this section it is
the anthropologist in Elwin who pre-
dominates. Elwin visits Mishmi tribes and
interest with them. He notes every aspects
of their like including their houses, families,
clothing, customs and their beliefs.
Elwin also describes another journey that
he undertook with his wife among the
Mishimis. Throughout the journey what is
evident is the empathy of the traveler with
the landscape and mindscape of its people.
The mini travelogue is full of fascinating
details of the land and their people. Elwin
presented the whole description in simple
and straight forward language with the
attitude of involvement and interest for the
whole hilly region.
2.Describe the author’s journey from
Charduar to Tawang.
Or, Account in your own words the various
experiences of the writer during his
Pilgrimage to Tawang.
Answer:-
“A Pilgrimage to Tawang” is a mine-
travelogue which is full of fascinating details
of the landscape and various hill tribes of
former NEFA, present day Arunachal
Pradesh. Tawang is a beautiful upland valley
between Bhutan and Tibbet. This is the
place where renowned Buddhist monk
Dalailama had sought political asylum in
India after living Tibbet due to Chinese
attack. In 1962 Tawang again came to light
when it was captured by the Chinese
solders. It was however reoccupied by
Lama’s and the Indian administration later
on.
In 1956, Elwin was on a tour of this valley
with his wife Lila and covered the same
route taken by Dalailama. Dalailama was
able to make the entire journey between
Charduar to Bomdila by jeep. Elwin had a
break up journey because he was badly
bitten by Dim-dam flies and other horrid
insects which has a poisonous effect on his
whole body. In spite of this troubles on
journey both Mr. And Mrs. Elwin enjoyed
the adventure at it highest label. Huge
rockcliffs, picturesque Vistas, tunnels of
trees and wild flowers. Greet the visitors
there were the sweet smell of the valley
and endless fountains and rills extends the
author’s imaginations.
It is not merely the eyes but the mind and
the human spirit that got importance during
their journey. The journey over the Sela
Pass is unforgettable. The natural beauty is
capable of invoking various experiences in
each visitor in a very personal manner. It is
a reserve of unexpected joy, from being a
painter inspiration, a poet’s muse, an
environmentalist’s heaven, a peace seeker’s
resort, or a tourist’s vacation spot. The
author gives a vivid description of his
journey with all its hardship and its joys
which ceased all the trouble they had to
face at their journey.
At Dirang the author meet the Abbot of
Tawang. He is one of the greatest saints of
Buddhism. They received a very warm
welcome and found the experience very
moving. The Lama’s and his band paid a
welcome guard where small children also
took part. After Dirang, Elwin came to
Senzedzong where Dalailama haulted his
journey. Later the group crossed SelaPass
which is situated at the height of 14
thousand feet. The two lakes of the
Selapass called “The Eyes of God”. At this
place author enjoyed his launch and they
went on for another twenty miles to
Tawang.
The group reached Tawang on the Eve of
Buddha Purnima which was 2500
Anniversary of the birth of Buddha. They
meet with all the monk sand the trumpets
were blown. They also met with Mahayana
sector of Buddhism with strong tan-tic
elements. Later they went to the Manastray
liberary where the great treasure was the
Getompa, eight large volumes, three of
which were lettered in Gold. There were
more than seven hundred books in the
library, books were worshiped even if they
were not read. The visitors also enjoyed the
Thutotdam, the dance of the king and
queen of death. The dance reminds the
spectators that death awaits every man, so
they must not be too much attracted to
physical pleasure.
The journey was one of the most
memorable experiences of Elwin. His
description of the ‘Landscape of Tawang’ is
so much realistic that a reader can realize
everything between his eyes if he goes
through the essay. Regarding this
pilgrimage Elwin himself said, “As I have
always called it something much more to
me than the ordinary official tour.” I had
always been interested in Buddhism and
inspired by much of its teaching. Now it
became real to one. These few weeks a
definite change in my life, a step forward in
spiritual realization.”