Natural splendour and serenity

travelogue

Mirik in Darjeeling offers wonderful views of morning’s first light striking Kanchenjunga

During a recent holiday trip to West Bengal, I had the opportunity to visit the most exotic and breathtaking hill station, Mirik in Darjeeling District. This peaceful and tranquil hill resort boasts of various facets of nature. Flourishing trees of cryptomeria japonica, wild flowers and beautiful lakes give the place a heavenly appearance. It is surrounded by cardamom plantations, orchards of oranges and tea estates.

Built around a 1.25 km long natural lake called Sumendu, the place can be accessed from Darjeeling, Siliguri and Kurseong. This hamlet is 1,770 meters above sea level and the population of this settlement is only 15,000. It is believed that this destination is fairly new as compared to most of the tourist destinations in India. Although Mirik has been included on the tourist map of West Bengal since the year 1970, a large number of tourists are still unaware of this destination and therefore, the place is not very crowded unlike the other hill stations.

Nevertheless, one has to agree that this little hamlet inspite of being in existence in the tourist circuit for a considerably short period, has all the features that it takes to attract tourists. It also offers panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga (the third highest peak in the world) and the other Himalayan peaks that capture everyone’s heart and invariably gets captured in their cameras.Boating under the shadow of mount Kanchenjunga on the Sumendu lake makes for the most leisurely holiday. There is a floating fountain in the middle of the lake and a quaint little footbridge connecting the flower garden on the eastern bank of the heavily forested ridge on the west.

Rameetay Dara and Deosi Dara viewpoints in the close vicinity can be visited as well. Tea gardens and trip to Pashupati market in Nepal are two of the favourite past times of most tourists. The shopping streets in Pashupati are popular for various imported and tourists love to shop here, to their heart’s content. Those who want to add some adventure and excitement to the trip can try including trekking and horse riding in their agenda. The famous trek of Sandakphu originates from Maneybhanjan the base camp for trekking close to Mirik. Other places of interest are Falut, Tonglu, Gauribas, Palmazua and Kalopokhori, which are all accessible from Maneybhanjan.

Scenic locations like Jorepokhori, Lepchajagat and Sukhiapokhri can be accessed from Mirik as well as Darjeeling. The road to Darjeeling via Mirik is picturesque and is traversed by many.The nearest Airport is Bagdogra, which is about 55 kmfrom Mirik and the nearest Railway station is in Ghoom at a distance of 41 km. Tourists travelling by train from other states arrive at New Jalpiguri railway station. Mirik can be reached by road from Darjeeling, Siliguri and Kurseong via the following routes. Cars can be rented easily from ‘Rent a Car’ service at a fixed rate, which is reliable and safe.

1. Darjeeling – Ghoom – Sukhiapokri- Simana – Pashupati Fatak – Hilay Bhanjang – Mirik ( 49 km)

2. Siliguri – Khaprail – Dudey Garidhura – Gayabari Tea Estate – Phuguri Tea Estate – Soureni – Mirik ( 52 km)

3. Makaibari Tea Estate, Kurseong – Longview Tea estate – Garidhura – Mirik

Weather: Mirik is pleasant all through the year with average temperatures around 13 and 30 degrees in winter and summer respectively.

By Mira Pawar