Have you ever heard of Mechuka? Nature’s beauty and bounty have really made the tiny spot in Arunachal Pradesh a dreamscape for tourists. Nestled in 1,829 meter above the sea level, the enticing natural sights and sounds of Mechuka beckon millions of domestic and foreign tourists in West Siang district of the north eastern state. The word “Mechuka” has come from Men-Chu-Kha. Literally,“Men” stands for medicinal snow, “Chu” is “water” while “Kha” means “Mouth”. Thus, Men Chu Kha is medicinal water of snow. Later, it was popularly called Mechuka. Now it is the name of a snowcapped fostered valley with calm pine trees and thorny bushes beside the river Yargyapchu along the Indo-Tibetan border. The entire area is populated by the Memba. Apart from the Tibeto-Mongloid ethnic people, other tribes include Ramo, Bokar and Libo who are known for their unique colourful culture and tradition. They, mostly, believe in Buddhism, Donyi-Poloism, Christianity. They speak Memba, Adi, Hindi and English.
The Adis, who have been living here since time immemorial, are found in Gapo, Pauk, Padusa, Lipusi, Hiri, Purying, Rapum, Charung, Rego and Karte. Tourists, mostly, never misses the occasion to catch a glimpse of the huts in the hilltops where the Memba tribes house. They usually live in wooded houses at a stone’s throw distance from their wheat fields.
Some others stay with local families for an unique opportunity to taste the local cuisine apart from candid conversations.
Its religious and historical significance lie in the over 400 year old Samten Yongcha monastery of Mahayana Buddhist at a hilltop in the westernmost side of the place. This is what the contemporary of the Tawang monastery.
The best time to visit begins in September where the real picture of scenic beauty, exotic tribes, gentle hills and snow-capped mountains emerges in totality.
There is no dearth of accommodation for the tourists who throng the spot from far flung areas of the globe. Apart from lodges and inspection bungalows the local families also greet the tourists providing good accommodation. The tourists, mostly, reach the must see spot from Lakhimpur in Assam Lilabari being the nearest airport. Rail and bus services from Guwahati, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Dibrugarh are also available.
