The Idu Mishimi tribe believes in life after death. According to their mythology, after death the soul of a person makes a journey guided by their priest (igu or shaman) to attain the new life and ATHU-POPU is one of the holy places where the departed souls take rest on their journey towards eternity. At this sacred place a big mass of stone stands alone, and it is believed that the priest Sinerwu once cried on this scared stone on getting the news of his mother’s death. The stone still bears the impression of the priest’s palms and his tears, as believed. There is also a wild paddy field near Athu-Popu, believed to be cultivated by the departed souls on their onward journey.
Athu-Popu, with an an altitude of of about 3500 metres above sea level, is situated at Kayala Pass, Indo-China Border and is approximately 120 KM from Maliney. Maliney is the last motorable village in Dibang Valley District which is at a distance of about 200km from Roing, the district headquarter of Lower Dibang Valley. Its altitude is approximately 3500 meter MSL. There are lots of tales, mythological beliefs associated with the hills and places on the way to Athu-Popu, which enthrall anyone.
