A porcupine caterpillar stuck to my left leg, and Lokam, who drove with me to Ganga Lake in Itanagar, sprang up with a loud cry. “This is Yalañ Pombo. It will suck your blood.” The next few minutes were spent plucking away the creature that had half done its job. It left behind a battle scar, and drops of blood had painted my leg. This was one of many things that didn't go as planned during a memorable visit to Arunachal Pradesh’s capital, Itanagar, with the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (MDoNER).
India
Itanagar: The Land Of Surprises, Sudden Rains, Kiwis, And Great Potential
A missed trip to the Ziro Valley left me three days in Arunachal Pradesh’s capital, Itanagar. Here’s a guide to experiencing and understanding a place full of surprises and potential
Aanchal Poddar
11 July 2026
Diorama and wax figures of Nocte people at Jawaharlal Nehru Museum, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh Photo: AshLin/Wiki Commons
Diorama and wax figures of Nocte people at Jawaharlal Nehru Museum, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh Photo: AshLin/Wiki Commons
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