Pasighat

Welcome to Pasighat, the oldest town of Arunachal Pradesh established in 1911. And presently the headquarter of the east Siang district. The British government had appointed a political officer to view to help the natives of the area to comedown to the plains of Assam for trade and commerce. Pasighat has been often called the 'gateway of the state of Arunachal Pradesh'. The town derives its name from the 'Pasis', a tribe of the area.


Pasighat town is situated at a height of 155 m., from the sea level and has a population of nearly 78,000 people. The climate is hot and humid in summers and temperate during winters.

Nature At Its Best

Pasighat and its surrounding areas abound in natural beauty and the place has rightly been called as a photographers delight: it is a land to have a rendezvous with Mother Nature in her purest form. Far away from the maddening crowd, the place has the potential to provide solace to the tired and tense people from the outside world. The mighty Brahmaputra River, called the "Siang" here transcends down from Tibet and gives its name to the district. It flows through the entire length of the area until it descends down into the plains of Assam south of Pasighat town, where it meets Dihang and Lohit and becomes the Brahmaputra.

The magic of the land can only be felt when one arrives here. And, on one's return from the place, the heart is filled with joy, the mind is freshened and the soul is elevated to new heights of bliss; the memory always haunts and the temptation to visit Pasighat always prompts one to come here again and again.

Pasighat and its surrounding areas can rightly be termed as the heart of Arunachal Pradesh because of their central location in the state. With its beautiful hillside and lush-green river valleys inhabited by a galaxy of tribes, the area is a tourists delight and photographers paradise. From Pasighat, there are numerous places of interest that can be visited in Arunachal Pradesh.

Cities

This is a sacred place situated near Lekhabli at a distance of 100-km, from Pasighat and 25-km from the nearest railhead at Silapathar in Assam. The place is associated with the legend of Kalika Puran according to which the head of the Sati (Parvati) fell at this place when she was cut into pieces by Lord Vishnu. The name Akashiganga is suggestive of a water channel in the hill. The place provides a Beautiful and magnificent birds- eye view of the Brahmaputra meandering far below. The place is an archaeological site in Arunachal pradesh situated at the Arunachal-Assam border in the Likabali area of the West Siang district. The place is associated with the legend of Lord Krishna and his wife Rukmani, the daughter of Bhismak. It is believed that Krishna and Rukmani took a rest at this place while they were on their way to Dwarka from Bhismaknagar. They were received cordially by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati as guests. Parvati was given the name of Malini by Krishna and the place began to be called as Malinithan.

Set on a mound of about 60 metres high, it is only 1-km east of Likabali, and 100-km from Pasighat, and is easily approachable from Pasighat by bus or taxi. Like Pasighat, along is also one of the old town of Arunachal Pradesh and is the headquarter of west Siang district. Set in a wide open valley where the Sipu river merges with Siyom against the backdrop of hills covered with snow during winters, it presents a panoramic view tot he delight of visitors. Along by night with hundreds of electric lights flickering and glowing over the broad valley looks like a wonderland from the top of the hills. It can be reached from Pasighat by bus or taxi in 4 hours.

Wildlife

The Daying Ering Wild Life Sanctuary is located at a distance of 13-km from Pasighat and is one of the few sanctuaries located on an island. One has to cruise through river Siang by boat to reach this sanctuary. During September-February, a variety of migratory birds like Cranes, Wild Ducks, Storks, Water Fowls and Hornbills come here from far off places making it a paradise for the bird watchers. Deers, Wild Elephants, Buffaloes and smaller predators are also abundant. The lucky visitor may also have a glimpse of the Tiger.

Others

Situated at a distance of about 60-km from Pasighat and connected by road, it stands at a point where river Siom meets river Siang and presents a rare sight. The blue waters of Siom meets the green Siang and the beauty of the sight is to be seen to be believed.

Adventure & Sports

For the adventure loving, Pasighat has a great scope for adventure sports such as river rafting and trekking in the deep forests.

Siang River is ideal for river rafting, both for the amateurs and the seasoned. The veterans can start from gelling at the Indo - China border and raft down to Pasighat through rapids of 4 and 5 degree, whereas the amateurs can raft down from Yambung or Sirki to Pasighat through rapids of 2 and 3 degree.


Trekking through the dense woods and forests from Pasighat to Yinkiong to Komsing - the historic sight where Neol Willimson was buried after being killed by the Adis - is unforgettable experience for the trekkers. One can have the pleasure of seeing a variety of beautiful birds and a variety of vegetation unfound in other parts.

It is indeed a privilege to see the cane bridges built across river Siang that are a marvel of native engineering. R. Wilcox who visited the area in 1825, remarked about these cane bridges: "We are quite astonished at the skill and labour shown in the construction of cane suspension bridges thrown over at this point: it was such as would do no discredit to the department for similar workd in Calcutta."


Besides, a lot of places like Yingkiong, Bodak, Siom, etc., provide good spots for Fishing and Angling. The Mahseer is legendary and catches of 20-30 kg are not uncommon. The colder waters of the higher reaches have the golden and the rainbow trout. One can have a sight of traditional but effective methods of fishing while trekking in the jungles.

So, this is Pasighat, a place that one must visit to have the fun of lifetime, where Mother Nature showers all its bliss and delight upon one in her purest form. A place that will always linger in one's memory and will motivate one to come here again and again

How To Get There

Pasighat is well connected to the mainland by rail, road and air.
Air: The nearest airports are to Dibrugarh (Mohanbari), and Guwahati in Assam, helicopter (Pawan Hans) flights are available from Dibrugarh and Itanagar.
Rail: The nearest railway station is Murkong Selek, at a distance of 35-km, from Pasighat and buses or taxies are available there for the town.
Road: Visitors can reach Pasighat by bus, private vehicles or taxis from Guwahati, Itanagar or Lakhimpur, alternatively they can cross over river Brahmaputra from Dibrugarh to Oryamghat that is situated at a distance of 30-km, from Pasighat and then take a bus or taxi to Pasighat. Ruksin check gate is the point of entry for those coming by road from Itanagar or Guwahati and Kemi check gate for those coming by boat from Dibrugarh.

Note: An inner line permit is required for the tourists to visit Pasighat that can be had from the liaison officers at Delhi, Calcutta, Guwahati and Dibrugarh or from the Deputy Comissioner, Pasighat or the Sub Divisional Officer at Ruksin. The foreign tourists are required to obtain protected / restricted area permit from the Commissioner (Home). Government of Arunachal Pradesh or from Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.

Places To Stay

In Pasighat, visitors can stay in the Siang guesthouse, circuit house or inspection bungalow. Hotel accommodation is also available in the city and paying guest accommodation can be managed too on prior intimation. One can have a first hand knowledge of the native life traditions and customs whiles staying as a paying guest with the local people. For the nature lovers, tented tourist camps with modern amenities are available around Pasighat. Comfortable government inspection bungalows are also available at nearby places of interest.

General Information

Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Pasighat is from November to April, when the rainy season ends and weather becomes comfortable and mildly cold. The nights are rather cold and therefore, visitors are advised to carry warm clothing during this period.

For reservation in the Siang Guest House, Circuit house and Inspection Bungalow, contact: The Deputy Commissioner, Pasighat

Inner Line Permits can be obtained from the following:
- Resident Commissioner, New Delhi
- Deputy Resident Commissioner, Kolkata
- Deputy Resident Commissioner, Guwahati
- Deputy Resident Commissioner, Dibrugarh

Nearby Cities

Best Time To Visit
Akashiganga: 100-km Malinithan: 100-km Pangin: 60-km Along: 125-km