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Mirik Tourism

Mirik has become a popular tourist destination in the tourist map of Darjeeling for its climate, natural beauty, well-accessibility, less pollution and minimum crowds. It is a very peaceful and pictorial tourist spot surrounded by pine trees and flowers garden, which attracts many tourists to rush at Mirik, situated in the Himalayan foothills. The name Mirik comes from the Lepcha word Mir-Yok meaning "place burnt by fire".

The main attraction in Mirik is the Sumendu Lake, commonly called Mirik Lake, which is 1.25 kilometre long and surrounding by green vegetation of pine trees and garden. The both side of the lake connected with a footbridge. Horse riding on the front-ground of the lake and boating on the lake are extra activities for the tourists, which are easily available here. A walking road encircles the Lake, which is used to walk for the tourists. You can enjoy sunrise and sunset from "Rameetay Dara" in Mirik.

sumendu lake or mirik lake

(Footbridge on Sumendu Lake, Mirik, West Bengal)

Civic Information

Note
Altitude 1,495 m (4,905 ft)
Rainfall 279.4 cm yearly
Temperature Max. 30°C (Summer)
Min. 1°C (Winter)
Location Kurseong sub-division of Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India
Languages Gorkha, Hindi, Bengali and English
Nearest City Kurseong, Darjeeling, Siliguri
Distance 47 km from Siliguri and 59 km from Darjeeling
Best Season March to May and September to November
Recommended Clothing Light-woolen and tropical in summer (umbrella and raincoat are useful) and heavy woolen in winter.
Currency Indian Rupee(indian rupee)

Mirik is situated at Kurseong subdivision in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. It is a small town with a Municipality having 9 wards, surrounded by rural area, which are divided with 6 Gram Panchayats. There has a police station at Mirik. As of 2011 India census, total urban population at Mirik is 11,513 (5,688 males and 5,826 females), with a literacy rate of 74% and the density of population was 1,406 per square km. And in rural area of Mirik has a population of 46,374 (23,394 males and 22,980 females).

Places around Mirik

Mirik Lake - The Lake Sumendu :
Sumendu Lake or popularly Mirik Lake is the main attraction in Mirik block. It is a man-made lake with a length of 1.25 km. The water depth of the lake varies from 3ft to maximum of 26 ft. The Lake encircled by a 3.5 km long footpath and an 80 ft long arch-shaped footbridge over the lake connect both banks in the middle, called Indreni Pull (Rainbow Bridge) are used for walks with the magnificent view of Kanchenjunga all along on the far horizon. At the canvas of lake water, you may also get a pleasant view of Mt. Kanchenjunga on a clear day. Boating and fishing on the lake are other available activities in Mirik. A horse-ride also available in-front ground and around the lake. But Swimming is prohibitive since the wastewater from Mirik falls in the lake.

Rameetay Dara and Kawlay Dara :
Rameetay Dara and Kawlay Dara both are ideal viewpoint. You can get a charming views of plans as well as frozen mountain range from there. The sunrise and sunset besides the mountains and plains are just unforgettable. Both viewpoints are about 30 minutes walk distance from tourist hub.

Devisthan :
A small temple of Hindu Goddess "Singha Devi" is situated on the western bank of Mirik Lake. The area are surrounded by dense pine tree forests called "dhupi forest". The temple is known as "Devisthan" and also known as "Singha Devi Mandir". This temple is consider very holy place by the local people. There are some other temple around the Mirik Lake, which are dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva and Maa Kali.

Tea Estates :
There are eight tea gardens in and around Mirik which are producing world class and famous Darjeeling Tea. Thurbo Tea Estate is one of them, just 2 kilometers away from the Mirik Lake. The Tea Estate and factory may be visited with the permission from right Authority.

Orchids Garden :
Orange cultivation is the second largest economic source to the people of Mirik after Tea gardening, It produce high-quality oranges, which are commonly known as Darjeeling oranges and also one of the largest orange producers in Bengal. Most of the orange orchards in Mirik located at Mirik Busty, Murmah and Soureni Busty. Mirik Busty is around 2.5 km driving distance from the Mirik lake, where one can get an experience about the hilly village life and their culture.

Orange Orchards :
Mirik is famous for its high-quality oranges and the largest supplier of orange in West Bengal. These are grown in Mirik Busty, Murmah and Soureni Busty. Mirik Busty Orange Garden is about 2.5 kilometer from Mirik. One can also have glimpse of the village life of hill areas.

Apart from the above tourist destination, there have many more tourist spots in and around Mirik. Bokar Monastery, Rai Dhap, Tingling View Point, Bunkulung (Jayanti Nagar), Pashupati Nagar (11 km from Mirik town), Mirik Church (also known Don Bosco Church), Swiss Cottage (also known as Motel), Sunrise Point, Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, Mirik Bazaar Shopping Centre, Tamang Buddhist Monastery, Homedara Siva Mandir and Cardamom firm are also famous of them.

How to reach Mirik?

Mirik situated at the half way to reach in Darjeeling with the alternative route from Siliguri, which take a left-turn from Sukna with the regular route. It is around 49 km driving distance from Siliguri and around 58 km driving distance from Darjeeling. Bagdogra airport in Siliguri is the nearby airbase to Mirik having a road distance around 47 km. And closest railway head situated at New Jalpaiguri, with a road distance around 56 km.

By Road :
Mirik is well connected with nearby cities Darjeeling, Siliguri and Kurseong by road, where Siliguri is well-connected rest of India by road, rail and air. Taxis, private cars, shared jeeps and tourist mini coaches are the common vehicles to reach Mirik from Darjeeling, Kurseong, Siliguri and also from Bagdogra airport and New Jalpaiguri railway station.

Driving distance from Siliguri to Mirik and Bagdogra Airport to Mirik are 47 km and 48 km respectively and having a journey time around 1 hour and 40 minutes. New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Mirik is around 58 km driving distance and journey time is 2 hours. Driving distance between Darjeeling and Mirik is 59 km having a journey time about 2 hour and 45 minutes.

One can hire a taxi at a cost of Rs. 1500/- to Rs. 1800/- for a small car. Tata Sumo or other standard car may ask for Rs. 300/- more. Shared jeep is also available with a cost of Rs. 100/- to Rs. 120/- per head. Bus service is comparatively economy, having a fare for Rs. 70/- per head.

By Rail :
New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway head to Mirik, which is well connected with all major cities in India by rail. It is around 56 km driving distance from Mirik and easy accessible by road. Siliguri has another railway junction and some selected train arrived here, which run from Kolkata.

By Air :
Nearest airport is Bagdogra. It is a domestic. All major air services are available from all over India. Distance between Bagdogra and Siliguri is 13 km. You can find out various vehicles from there to reach at Mirik.

Accommodation

Accommodation is easily available at Mirik. A verity of hotels, tourist Lodge, tourist cottages are available with various budgets. In fact there are several Swiss cottages too in Mirik that are referred to as Motels that make excellent accommodation option.

Salamander Tourism self-help group organized and coordinate some homestay for the tourists at Mirik and surrounding areas. To book any of the bellow Homestay, you may contact with Mr. Aswini Tamang, Coordinator of Salamander Tourism self-help group, Mobile: +91 9932224074 and email: aswinitamang@rediffmail.com

Home Stay Coordinate by Salamander Tourism self-help group

Syangden's Homestay at Thana Line , Mirik
Prop. Mr Palsang Syangden
10 minute walking distance from Mirik Bazar and easily approached by car, parking facilities available.

Golay Salamander Homestay at Nakhapani, 7th Mile , Mirik
Prop. Mr Yogesh Golay & Mr Lakpa Golay
Two homestay facilities are available at Nakhapani, a distance of 8km from Mirik. It is situated 5 minutes walking distance from the main road.

Thapa Thali Salamander Homestay at Deose Dara, Mirik
Prop. Mr Sarad Thapa / Miss H R Thapa
15 minutes walking distance from Krishnangar, Mirik.

Bomzon Salamander Homestay at Nakhapani, 7th Mile , Mirik
Prop. Mr. M. B. Bomzon
It is located about 8 km from Mirik and another 5 minutes walking distance from the main road.

Khim Khesang Homestay at Bunkulung, Mirik
Prop. Mr. Tara Rai / Mrs. Kalpana Rai
It is situated about 45minutes driving distance from Mirik.

Other than Salamander Tourism self-help group, there have some more Homestay facilities in Mirik and surrounding area.

Rodhi Ghar Eco Retreat (Pure Veg) at Lower Mirik Busty, School Dara, Mirik-734214
Prop. Mr Trithankar Gurung
Mobile: +91 9832630330, +91 7679344724
email: rodhi.ghar@yahoo.com, gtrithankar@gmail.com

Govt. Tourism Authorities

Tourism Centre, Govt. of West Bengal
3/2, B.B.D. Bag (East)
Kolkata - 700001
Phone : (+91) 033-22485917 / 88271
Tourism Centre, Govt. of West Bengal
M-4 Building, Pradhan Nagar
Hill Cart Road, Siliguri - 734403
Phone : (+91) 0353-2511979 / 4, 2432561
E-mail : maitl@dte.vsnl.net.in
Tourist Bureau
1, Nehru Road, The Mall
Gram : Dartour, P.O. - Darjeeling
Phone : (+91) 0354-254050