Mirik

The hill resort of Mirik is a pictorial tourist destination that rests on the tranquil hills of the district of Darjeeling, forming a part of the north eastern Indian state of West Bengal.

This hill city has got its name from the two Lepcha words Mir and Yok, which together defines as the place burnt by fire. Today, this hill resort stands as one of the most admired tourist spots in the Indian state of West Bengal for its incredible beauty, pleasant climate and of course easy accessibility, that we all seek for while planning a trip.

Standing at an elevation of about 1495 m above the sea level is also acknowledged as the largest producer of oranges in the state of West Bengal. The city is all set with several tea and orchard plantations, appearing like stretching till the horizon.

The attraction of the city is its lake which is placed at the heart of the city, named as Sumendu Lake. This serene lake is all flanked by the lush green gardens on its one side and pine groves on its other and is linked in between with a bridge called Indreni Pull, also known as the Rainbow Bridge. There is a road which encircled the lake and is of 3.5 km in length.

The lake offer opportunity of having a delightful time with quaint shikaras and pony rides. It also provides a pleasant view of the great Mount Kanchenjunga. The lake also attracts the tourists of religious interest and devotees as; in its close proximity only there is a land of Mahayana monks. In addition, in the western side, there are three temples residing the deities of Lord Shiva, Hanuman and Kali Mata in the respective temples.

The other attractions of the lake that are located in the area are Singla Devi Mandir, Tibetan Buddhist Monastry, Homedara Siva Mandir, Rajdhap, Ramneety Dara and Mirik Busty Orange Garden. There is a popular sunrise and sunset point at Kawlay Dara View Point, which renders a splendid view of the snow masked mountain ranges.

The lake is infringed with the tea estates. In the area, there are about eight estates of tea plantations, out of which the most popular one is the Thurbo tea Estate just at a 2 km drive away from the lake. Another excursion from the lake is the hill resort of Kurseong, which is popular for its extensive plantation of orchids and serene ambience.

The place can be visited throughout the year for it experiences pleasant climate for the 365 days. The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport at about 55 km from Mirik and the nearest major station is New Jalpaiguri.