Arunachal Pradesh, India’s easternmost state, is a veritable treasure chest of gems, many of them whose glitter is hidden under layers of obscurity. One of these is Mandala Top Arunachal Pradesh, located near Dirang, in the West Kameng District. Though it has been known to be a hotspot for birding, The 108 Buddhist stupas that are part of an ongoing State Government tourism project, have brought Mandla Top into the limelight.

What is Mandala Top? Where is Mandala Top? What is there to see in Mandala Top? How to get to Mandla Top? Read on to know the answers to these questions and for complete information about Mandala Top Arunachal Pradesh, India.

108 Mane Mandala Top Arunachal Pradesh 

We were smitten with the irresistible beauty of the state and a visit to Mandala Top Arunachal Pradesh only strengthened our love for the state. Our Arunachal Pradesh itinerary which had been crafted with great care by Holiday Scout treated us to a fascinating melange of experiences, that harmoniously blended the elements of nature, culture, heritage, cuisine, and much more.

After spending an enthralling couple of days in picturesque Bomdila, we reached another charming place, Dirang. Our Dirang itinerary too was packed with some unforgettable experiences and one of these was the visit to the 108 Mane Mandala Top.

About Mandala Top Arunachal Pradesh | 108 Manes

Mandala Top is a relatively new addition to the many tourist attractions that Arunachal Pradesh has to offer. Mandala Top is located at an altitude of about 11,000 feet, some 30 kilometres from Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh. It is a one of its kind attraction in India consisting of 108 Manes or stupas or pillars.

The sacred Sanskrit Mantra, “Om Mani Padme Hum,” is inscribed on each of these 108 Manes. Other elements of Buddhist iconography like Vase, Lotus, Conch, etc., are also depicted on the 108 Manes at Mandala Top.

The 108 Mane at Mandala Top was consecrated on the 24th of November, 2018 by His Eminence, Guru Tulku Rinpoche, in the presence of Shri Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, and Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju, among others.

The 108 Mane have been arranged in five concentric circles. In the centre, a Buddha statue with a small monastery at the bottom is being built. The 108 Mane with the sacred Mantra are arranged in such a fashion that visitors can circumambulate them, reciting or meditating on the sacred mantra 108 times.

The Mantra, “Om Mani Padme Hum,” is associated with the Shadakshari form of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion. It is believed that the chanting of this sacred mantra 108 times is conducive to meditation and fosters tolerance and compassion and at the same time eliminates greed, anger, and other evil thoughts.

Visiting Mandala Top Near Dirang Arunachal Pradesh | The Road From Dirang

The nearest major town to reach Mandala Top is Dirang. We were staying in Dirang and we drove down, or rather drove up to Mandala Top. It was a pleasant drive as we took a winding road that snaked through verdant landscapes that were pleasing to the eye. We covered the distance of about 30 kilometres in a little less than an hour.

As we traveled towards Mandala, we noticed the changing landscapes. The lower reaches were covered with tropical evergreen forests while as we ascended the higher levels, these gave way to coniferous forests. The change in the landscape was indeed dramatic.

At some distance from Mandala Top, we came across a clearing by the side of the road. Burnt tree trunks and stumps of huge trees stood forlornly here. We were told that these were the remains of a huge forest fire that had raged here in the 1960s. The brown patch of arid land dotted with brown stumps of trees, contrasted with the green vistas in the distance and the blue of the skies to paint a surreal canvas.

When we left Dirang, the sky was clear and blue with swabs of white. However, as we ascended the climate changed drastically. We saw huge clouds making their way to the top of the hills as if they had been summoned urgently. By the time our car came to a halt underneath a big and colourful sign that said, “108 Mane At Mandala Top,” visibility had deteriorated, and we were enveloped in fog.

Mandala Top Arunachal Pradesh – Must Visit Place In Arunachal Pradesh

As we stepped out of our car at Mandala Top, it was like stepping straight into a cloud. The visibility was not more than a few feet, and there was a nip in the air.

Our plans of getting some good shots went for a toss, however, the misty atmosphere made the 108 Manes at Mandla Top even more mystical and magical.

A small gate led to a circular enclosure in which the brightly painted 108 Manes, peeped from behind the shifting veil that the mist had covered them with.  As we stepped inside, as if by divine intervention, the light improved, and the sacred Manis seemed to come alive all around us.

Structure And Design Of  108 Mane / Mani In Arunachal Pradesh | Mandala Top Dirang

The structural design of the 108 Manes/Manis is identical. They are rectangular cuboid structures made of brick and painted white, with yellow sloping tiled roofs.

The white structure of the 108 Manes is divided into three sections by two thick brown stripes painted across the perimeter of the structure. While one of the larger faces of the Manes is blank, the Mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ is inscribed in 108 Pillars, on the other large face. Buddhist religious symbols are depicted on both the smaller faces of the Manes.

The 108 Manes that are arranged in a concentric circle are themselves inside a larger circle on which are placed small golden-coloured Stupas, which are sponsored by patrons, usually to commemorate the memory of a loved one.

At the centre of the concentric circles, a Buddha statue with a small monastery is being built. More tourist infrastructure including a cafeteria is also on the anvil.

Mandala Top – A Birding Paradise | Birding Hub

Much before the relatively new tourist attraction of the 108 Mani, built in 2018, came up in Mandala Top, the area was known for its birding potential. Avid birders and ornithologists considered it to be an important hotspot for Bird watching in Arunachal Pradesh, though the place was not part of any protected or designated sanctuary.

In 2016, BirdLife International, an NGO which is the official scientific source of information on birds for the IUCN List, classified the Mandala Phudung region, extending over an area of 50,000 hectares as an IBA (Important Bird And Biodiversity Area). The region met criteria A1 and A2 for being classified as an IBA. According to criterion A1, Mandala Phudung was believed to hold a population of a species categorized by the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered.

The species under this category (A1) found in the region were:

• Blyth’s Tragopan Tragopan blythii
• Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis

According to criterion A2, Mandala  Phudung region qualified as it was believed to have restricted-range bird species i.e. those having a global range size less than or equal to 50,000 km2. Out of these at least 2 species have a population equal to or more than 1% of the global population.

The species under this category (A2) found in the region were:

• Blyth’s Tragopan Tragopan blythii
• Ward’s Trogon Harpactes wardi
• Yellow-vented Warbler Phylloscopus cantator
• Broad-billed Warbler Tickellia hodgsoni
• White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri
• Rufous-throated Wren-babbler Spelaeornis caudatus
• Beautiful Sibia Heterophasia pulchella
• Hoary-throated Barwing Sibia nipalensis
• Streak-throated Barwing Sibia waldeni

The above information is from BirdLife International’s (2022) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Mandla Phudung.

The unique biodiversity of the region around Mandala Top provides sanctuary to more than 300 species of birds. The 108 Mane Mandla Top commissioned by the State Government is no doubt a boon to tourism in the area that is fueling increased tourist footfalls. At the same time, it has also given rise to a Catch-22-like situation, with repercussions on the ecosystem and birdlife of the region. Hopefully, a balance will be struck between tourism and the conservation of the environment, and Birding in Mandala will not become a thing of the past.

Mandala Festival At Mandala Top 108 Mane

The lofty and mystical heights of Mandala Top resonate with the sounds of music, during the Mandala Festival. Music, mysticism, and nature greet visitors during the Mandala Festival. The Mandala Festival was held in 2019 and featured many singers and musicians including the renowned Tibetan singer and composer, Sonam Topden.

Best Places to visit in Dirang Arunachal Pradesh Other Than Mandala Top

Dirang valley is nothing less than a revelation. Apart from the beautiful Mandala Top in Arunachal Pradesh, there are many places to visit in and around Dirang. There are so many things to do in Dirang, that there never will be a dull moment.

• Sangti Valley
• Chug Valley
• TDL Monastery
• Khastung Monastery
• Dirang Dzong
• Sheep Farm
• Trace Dalai Lama’s trail in Dirang

Images Of Mandala Top Arunachal Pradesh

Mandala Top in Arunachal Pradesh is one of those places that need to be experienced with all your senses. It is a place to be felt rather than just seen.

Here are some images of Mandala Top, that we hope, manage to convey at least partially, some sense of the place.

How To Reach Mandala Top Arunachal Pradesh

A day trip to Mandala Top from Dirang must feature in your Dirang itinerary. This relatively new and upcoming tourist attraction of Dirang is one of the best places to visit in Dirang. The 108 Buddhist Stupas At Mandala Top are located near Dirang in the West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The nearest major town to Mandala Top Arunachal Pradesh 108 Mane is Dirang.

• Dirang To Mandala Top distance is about 30 kilometres
• Bomdila To Mandala Top Distance is about 64 kilometres
• Shergaon To Mandala Top Distance is about 60 kilometres

Reaching Mandala Top By Air

The best way to reach Mandala top by Air is to fly to the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, and then proceed by road to Dirang and onwards to Mandala Top. The distance from Guwahati to Dirang is about 311 kilometres.  Guwahati is well connected by air to major cities of India including Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, etc.

Reaching Mandala Top By Train

The nearest Railhead to Mandala Top is Tezpur in the Sonitpur district of Assam. Guwahati is the other major railway station that is well-connected to all parts of the country.

Reaching Mandala Top By Road

Mandala Top is well connected by a good road network and can be easily accessed from within the state of Arunachal Pradesh, as well as from Guwahati in Assam. The nearest town is Dirang.

To travel to Mandala Top you can book your flight tickets right here through Cleartrip or Makemytrip or CheapAir or Priceline and fly to Guwahati. If you are thinking of a road trip, do check out the rental car options.

Where To Stay In Dirang | 108 Mandala Top Arunachal Pradesh

The best option for accommodation when visiting Mandala Top is to stay in Dirang. There is a jungle lodge near Mandala Top, called Mandala Birding Lodge which belongs to Eaglenest Birding. You will get more options in Dirang that range from homestays to cottages and resorts.

For booking the best accommodation at Dirang you may contact Holiday Scout Team at +91 9540698458,  +91 9436249862.

Alternatively, you may plan and book online your stay in Arunachal Pradesh, India right here –  TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or  makemytrip or  goibibo or  Booking.com or  HotelsCombined or  Agoda .

FAQ – Visiting Mandala Top Arunachal Pradesh | Things To Know About in Mandala Top

What is the altitude of the Mandala Top/Mandala Top Height?

Mandala is an ancient Mountain Pass and Mandala Top has an altitude of about 11,000 feet.

How many Stupas are there at Mandala Top?

There are 108 Manes or stupas at Mandala Top.

What are the Mandala Top Timings?

Mandala Top is open throughout the day, however, it is advisable to go when the light is good to appreciate the beauty of the place.

What are the Things To Do in Mandala Top?

The things that you can do in Mandala Top include meditation near the 108 Mane, circumambulating the 108 Mane, chanting, ” Om Mani Padme Hum,” admiring the natural beauty of the place, go birdwatching, trekking, and mountain biking.

What is the best time to visit Mandala Top Arunachal Pradesh?

The best time to visit Mandala Top is between October to April. However, considering its altitude, the weather can be unpredictable, so it is better to check the Mandala Top weather before heading there from Dirang.

Mandala Top is a place that not only appeals to your visual senses, but it also touches your soul. The memories of Mandala Top remain indelible in our hearts, and we can still feel its magic. If we close our eyes, we are transported to the ethereal world that exists at Mandala Top, 11,000 feet above sea level.

Are you planning a trip to Arunachal Pradesh and wish to visit 108 Mandala Top in Arunachal Pradesh or any part of North East India?

You can connect here with The Holiday Scout Team for a hassle-free and comfortable tour curated by them.

We hope you liked reading about Mandala Top, and are drawn to it. Continue reading our blogs for stories about many more amazing places. In case you have not subscribed, then this is the time to subscribe to our blog and also connect with us on social media.

Our visit to 108 Mandala Top near Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh, India was organized by Holiday Scout. The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are our own. #travel #108MandalaTop #MandalaTop #108Manes #108MandalaTopArunachalPradesh #MandalaTopArunachalPradesh #MandalaTopDirang #PlacesToVisitInDirang #ThingsToDoInDirang #GoNEindia #HolidayScout #ArunachalPradesh #ArunachalPradeshTourism #northeastindia #DekhoApnaDesh #IncredibleIndia

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