The annual Dangaria Baba Puja and Mela, held on the last Saturday of the year, witnessed a remarkable convergence of devotees at Raneghat. This revered site, nestled near Pasighat, saw a diverse congregation, with individuals from all walks of life and religious backgrounds paying their respects at the revered temple.
From the early hours of Saturday, hundreds of devotees, including locals and visitors from across the country, patiently queued at the temple premises to offer their prayers. The festive atmosphere was further amplified by the presence of numerous vendors from Pasighat and neighboring regions, including Jonai, Silapathar, and Dibrugarh, who set up vibrant stalls, adding a lively dimension to the proceedings.
Pasighat East MLA, Tapi Darang, graced the occasion, emphasizing the profound significance of the Dangaria Baba Temple as a pivotal religious tourism site for both the district and the state. He highlighted that the temple, dating back to the 1960s and 70s, transcends religious boundaries, attracting devotees of all faiths – including Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and followers of indigenous beliefs like Donyi-Polo. This unique appeal stems from the reverence accorded to Dangaria Baba, a revered deity believed to possess supernatural powers that transcend religious divisions.
Er. Atop Lego, a retired Chief Engineer of the PWD, who also participated in the puja, shared poignant anecdotes about the temple’s profound impact. He recounted how the temple’s establishment during the mid-1960s, amidst the construction of the Pasighat-Pangin road, brought an end to a series of unfortunate accidents involving both men and machinery. Today, the temple serves as a place of solace for numerous travelers who pause to offer prayers for a safe journey.
The Dangaria Baba Mandir, nestled beneath the shade of a majestic Banyan tree near the Siang Bridge (Raneghat/Pasighat Bridge), first began its celebrations in 1962 when PWD engineers working on the road project initiated the puja as a protective measure. Temple sources further revealed that the temple’s popularity has witnessed a steady and significant increase each year, attracting a growing number of pilgrims from diverse religious backgrounds. Notably, the temple’s inclusive nature is exemplified by the fact that a Muslim painter was entrusted with the task of repainting the temple structure.
As the annual congregation continues to swell, there is a growing impetus to develop the Dangaria Baba temple into a major tourist destination. The temple management has proposed extending the celebrations to three days, a move that is anticipated to significantly boost the local economy and provide substantial benefits to the surrounding communities.
Given its increasing prominence, the Tourism Department of Arunachal Pradesh is urged to recognize the Dangaria Baba temple as a potential revenue-generating pilgrimage site. The state boasts several other significant pilgrimage locations, including Parsuram Kundh, Bismak Nagar, Mali-Lithan, and the Siva Linga of Ziro, which, when collectively developed, could form a comprehensive tourist circuit, thereby promoting the region’s rich religious and cultural heritage on a broader scale.
