Namsai

Permits needed to travel to Namsai:

You will need an Inner Line Permit to explore Namsai and surrounding areas.  Apply for the permit at https://arunachalilp.com/. You can also contact OurGuest  and we can arrange the permits for you.

Places to Visit Near Namsai:

• Golden Pagoda (Kongmu Kham): One of the largest Buddhist monasteries in Northeast India, known for its magnificent architecture and serene ambiance. Situated in the banks of River Teang, Kongmu Kham at Tengapani is a sight to behold. The splendid golden pagoda built in the Thai/Burmese style sits majestical amidst a beautiful landscaped garden surrounded by lush greenery and exudes peace and serenity. Within the golden pagoda is housed a beautiful gilded statue of Buddha which is modelled on the kala Buddha of Nalanda archive.
• Parshuram Kund: An important Hindu pilgrimage site nestled along the Lohit River, believed to cleanse past sins. Common belief of the people is that a dip on the day in the Kund washes away one’s sins. As recorded in the kalika purana that it was here the sage Parshuram washed away his sin of matricide. Religious people, saints come to this Kund on Makar Shankranti which falls on the 14th January every year
• Namsai Monastery: A stunning Buddhist monastery located in the heart of Namsai town, surrounded by beautiful temples. 
• Chongkham Monastery (World Peace Pagoda):  Chongkham Monastery also known as the World Peace Pagoda is located in a river island in the historic town of Chongkham. This place is a solace to mind and is ideal for meditation in front of Buddha statue that surrounds the inner core of the vihara.
• LATHAO INTERNATIONAL BANA MEDITATION CENTRE, LATHAO: Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation and practised here. The centre, surrounded by lush forest and sitting atop the Lal Pahad (red hill) provides an atmosphere of solitude ideal for meditation. It can also lay claim to one of the tallest statues of Buddha in the area. 

Local Food in Namsai:

If you ask a local Arunachal person, where do you get the best food in Arunachal, there is a good chance, their reply will be Namsai - in the home of a Tai - Khampti. Khampti food is considered the most delicious Arunachali food by most people of Eastern Arunachal. One of the delights of Khampti food is the tremendous variety offered and the enormous variations of the same dishes, giving patrons a great number of choices to satisfy differing taste preferences and varying moods. The fragrant rice is the basic ingredient in Tai-style dining. It is prepared as Tai classic steamed rice called khao hai, and served either on a plate or wrapped in a tong (leaf) which is then put on the plate. The Khampti’s rich food recipes include Tongtep (cakes made of grounded rice), Khawlam (boiled rice and sesame seeds), Paasa (fresh river fish soup with special herbs), Paa-som, Nam-Som, etc.

Where to stay in Namsai:

If you wish to taste the best food in Arunachal Pradesh and experience good local hospitality it is best to stay in a homestay. Hewly Homestay is a very nice homestay in Namsai.  Sinawati Mungyak is the proud owner of Hewly Homestay, the first homestay of Namsai. The homestay is conveniently located in the heart of Namsai town, near the Pariyati Sasana Buddhist Vihara or Namsai Monastery. There is a sprawling garden dotted with uncountable number of plants, tastefully done interiors and big comfortable rooms with attached bathrooms. The food served is a delicious Khampti meal which includes varieties of steamed pork, bamboo rice, smoked fish and smoked meat.

For a customized tour experience you can contact Karma at +91-7669503993 or email to contact@ourguest.in

The Tai-Khampti is one of the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and they are mostly settled in Namsai. The word ‘Khampti’ means ‘a land full of gold’ (Khamp: gold; ti: place). The Tai-Khampti has a distinct, rich and unparalleled culture heritage which has till now remained unexplored in its totality. The community, as a matter of fact, is greatly orthodox and all its socio-cultural activities are religious. The Khampti offer prayers to Lord Buddha, meaning thereby that they believe in the existence of God, worshipping Lord Buddha whom the Hindus recognize as the 10th incarnation of God. The form of Buddhism practiced by the Khampti may be termed a progressive form of Buddhism.

The Tai-khampti people are very strong believers of Theravada(Hinayana) Buddhism. Every house has a prayer room and the families pray every morning and evening with offerings of flower (nam taw yongli) and food (khao tang som). They are peace loving people. The Tai-Khampti is the only tribe in the state to be known to have their own script which the people call it Tai script (Lik-Tai). They also have varied dwelling systems. Houses of the Tai-Khampti are built on raised floors with thatched roofs.