74. A Pilgrimage to Tawang (20)
1. Who wrote A Pilgrimage to Tawang?
A:- Verrier Elwin wrote 'A Pilgrimage to Tawang'.
2. When did Elwin live?
A: Elwin lived from 1902 to 1964.
3. 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 statement.
Or,
Why Elwin titled his journey as “A Pilgrimage to Tawang”.
Ans. Verrier 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 Verrier 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. 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 temples, 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 Se La 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 interacts 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 traveller 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.
4. When did Elwin and his wife go to Tawang?
A:- Verrier Elwin and his wife Lila went to Tawang in the month of May 1956 following the same route, which the Dalai Lama had used but in the reverse order. Then the only way to travel was on foot or pony. However, later a Mountain Road made it more more accessible.
5. How does Elwin describe the beauty of Tawang?
A:- Verrier Elwin and his wife met the Abbot of Tawang. According to Elwin, the Abbot was mild, courteous, down-to-earth and radiant with inner light. Elwin describes that the inhabitants of the area greeted them with pomp and circumstance with local officials. There was also a group of trumpeeters and drummers to welcome them.
6. Which famous person had visited Tawang before Elwin?
A:- Before the war of 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama had fled from Tibet. And after an arduous journey he crossed into India on 30th March the same year. He had reached Tawang and taken shelter in the monastery for a few days before moving Tezpur. Elwin and his wife had visited that same monastery.
7. Who was the founder of Tawang Monastery?
A:- Merag Lodroe Gyamtso was the founder of Tawang Monastery. It was founded in 1680-81 and built at the request of the 5th Dalai Lama. It is the second biggest and oldest monastery in Asia and it's full name is Tawang Ganden Namgyal Lhatse; it means the celestial paradise of divine site chosen by the horse.
8. Why was Tawang Monastery built?
A:- Tawang Monastery was built at the request of the 5th Dalai Lama.
9. 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.
A:- "A Pilgrimage to Tawang" is a mini-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 Tibet. This is the place where renowned Buddhist monk Dalai Lama had sought political asylum in India after living Tibet due to Chinese attack. In 1962 Tawang again came to light when it was captured by the Chinese soldiers. In 1962 Tawang again came to light when it was captured by the Chinese soldiers. In 1962 Tawang again came to light when it was captured by the Chinese soldiers. It was however reoccupied by Lama's and the Indian administration later on. In 1956, Elwin was a tour of this valley with his wife Lila and covered the same road taken by Dalai Lama. Dalai Lama 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. Inspite of this troubles on journey both Mr and Mrs Elwin enjoyed the adventure at its highest label. Huge rockcliffs, picturesque Vistas, tunnels of trees and wild flowers lay all around. Tp greet the visitors there there were the sweet smell of the valley and fountains and rills extends the author's imagination.
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's inspiration, a poet's muse, an environmentalist's heaven, a peacemaker's resort, or a tourist's holiday spot. The author gives a vivid description of his journey with all its hardship and its joys which stopped all the troubles they had to face at their journey.
At Dirang the author meets 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 and his band paid a welcome guard where small children also took part. After Dirang, Elwin came to Senzendzong where Dalai Lama haulted his journey. Later the group crossed Sela Pass which is situated at the height of 14 thousand feet. The two lakes of the Selapass are called "The Eyes of God". At this place the author enjoyed his journey and they went on for another twenty miles to Tawang. The group reached Tawang on the Eve of Buddha Purnima which was the 2,500th Anniversary of the birth of Buddha. They meet with all the monks and the trumpets were blown. They also met with Mahayana sector of Buddhism with strong tantric elements. Later they went to the Monastery's library where the great treasure, Getompa was lying with eight large volumes, three of which were lettered in gold. There were more than seven hundred books in the library. The books were worshipped even if they were not read. The visitors also enjoyed the Thutotdam, the dance which reminds the spectators that death awaits every man, so they must not be too much attracted to temporary worldly 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 one 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 intersted in Buddhism and inspired by much of it's teaching. Now it became real to one. These few weeks a definite change in my life, a step forward in spiritual realization. "
10. What is a pilgrimage?
A:- A pilgrimage is a journey often to an unknown or foreign place where a person goes in search of- new or expanded meaning about himself, other's nature or a higher good and the through the journey's experience leads to the personal transformation.
11. Describe the Abbot of Tawang.
A:- Verrier Elwin met the Abbot of Tawang whom Verrier describes as gentle, courteous, simple and luminous with inner joy or delight. The inhabitants of the area greeted them with pomp and circumstance, with local officials and a group of trumpeters and drummers in present.
12. Who were Elwin and Lila?
A:- Elwin and Lila were a couple. Elwin was a noted anthropologist who was born in 1902 and died in 1964.
13. What is the meaning of 'Tawang?'
A:- The name 'Tawang' is derived from the two words from the local Monpa dialect 'Ta' which means horse and 'Wang' means green pastures.
14. How old is Tawang now? Describe the place and people.
A:- Tawang is more than 400 years old. Tawang is 3,048 m above sea level. It is located at a distance of 185 km from Bomdila. The dominant ethnic group are the Monpa, who inhabit all of the 163 villages. The Tibetans are found in small scattered numbers throughout Tawang. Takpas are another small tribal group found in the West and the North.
15. Describe Sela Pass.
A:- Sela Pass is the high-altitude mountain pass in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It's elevation is 4,170 m or 13,700 ft. It connects the Buddhist town of Tawang to Tezpur and Guwahati.
16. Who are Monpas?
A:- The Monpas are believed to be the only nomadic tribe in Northeast India. They are totally dependent on animals like sheep, cow, yak, goats and horses. They have a very close affinity with the Sharchops of Bhutan. Their languages are from the family of Tibeto-Burmese languages.
17. Where did Elwin travel?
A:- Elwin travelled from Bomdila to Dirang where he met Monpa tribes. He wrote about different tribes and felt attracted towards Buddhism. He started his journey describing the religious and political importance of Tawang. He then described his journey from Dirang where he arrived at the monastery on Buddha Purnima Day. It was a very happy journey.
18. On which day did Elwin arrived at Tawang?
A:- Elwin and his wife arrived at Tawang from Dirang on Buddha Purnima Day.
19. Describe the Monpa house.
A:- The Monpa is a major tribe of Arunachal Pradesh and northeast India. The roof of their houses is made with bamboo matting which keeps their house warm during winter season.
20. Comment on it's being a travel narrative.
A:- 'A Pilgrimage to Tawang' is a travel narrative where the East is presented through the lens of a European. The Orient is shown as exotic, profound and mysterious. The value of truths of the Western or European writer is witnessed here. The writing confirms the theory of 'Orientalism' of the postcolonial critic Edward Said.