India To Counter China's Border Ambitions With Spiritual Infrastructure Initiative Along LAC in Arunachal

The Arunachal Pradesh government and the army are looking to develop a significant area near the Yangtse river along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The development, which comes days after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh performed 'Shastra Puja' with troops in Tawang, is being seen as a subtle message.

The state government and the army are collaborating to promote the legendary Chumi Gyatse and its renowned 108 Holy Waterfalls along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

In December of the previous year, China wanted to construct an observation post near the area, which is located a mere 250 meters from the LAC and was previously inaccessible even to the locals of Tawang.

The move, aimed at bolstering India's position along the LAC, comes days after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's Shastra Puja on Dussehra.

A four-hour bumpy ride from Tawang town towards Yangtse leads to Tsechu village near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at 11,000 feet. Ever since the stand-off with the Chinese troops, efforts have been made to improve the road infrastructure.

In Chumi Gyatse, Tibetan legends speak of a magnificent series of 108 waterfalls, where the water is revered as sacred and believed to possess miraculous healing abilities.

Buddhist pilgrims from Arunachal Pradesh and other northeastern states visit Chumi Gyatse annually to offer prayers and collect the sacred water.

Leki, a local villager at Tsechu Village, expressed happiness that more people outside of Tawang districts are becoming aware of the place. However, he mentioned that in order to enhance tourism, the road infrastructure needs improvement to accommodate the increasing number of tourists, NDTV reported.

"The road in the region has to be improved but the area is witnessing change. Now we have a mandir, a gompa and even Lamas are here. We had the wish to visit this place for a long time, today's wish is fulfilled" said Sonam Thsering , who came from Tawang town.

" We heard about the holy waterfalls, so we are visiting this place. We have taken the holy water in bottles. This is close to the China border and it's a different experience" said Raju Tamang, a young tourist who came from Guwahati.