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Monday 2 April 2007

MIRIK, East Indian Hill Station

MIRIK, the youngest hill station of India, is built around a 1.25 km long natural lake। The magical hill resort lies close to Siliguri in the West Benga l state of India. The peaceful and tranquil hill resort of Mirik boasts of several nature spots. The wild flowers, lovely lake and flourishing forests of Cryptomaria Japanica trees make Mirik appear as a tropical paradise. Mirik is surrounded by tea estates, orange orchards and cardamom plantations. There is a floating fountain in the middle of the lake and a quaint little footbridge connecting the flower garden on the eastern bank to the heavily forested ridge on the west. The lake is provided with boating facilities. The place is only 49km from Darjeeling and 52km from Siliguri and can be reached from either place quite easily. This place is 1767 meters above the sea level and has a relatively thin population of 15,000 people. A relatively new tourist destination, Mirik came in the tourist map of Darjeeling District only in the 1970s। Mirik has all that it takes to attract tourists; it is surrounded by forests, flowers and is a very peaceful place, which attracts the tourists automatically.
(Sight Seeing)
There are several spots of tourist interest in the hill station of Mirik


Sumendu Lake at Mirik is a man made lake which attracts tourists in Mirik. The Sumendu Lake is wrapped in forested ridge and a flower garden and has a floating fountain in its center. The Sumendu Lake is ideal for activities like boating and fishing.

Singha Devi Temple Near Sumendu Lake there is a temple of Singha Devi or the Devi Sthan. one must visit the temple that attracts tourists.

Deosi Dara is a vintage point in Mirik that must be visited to catch some vistas of the plains, hills and peaks in and around Mirik. Similarly Rameetay Dara is ideal for watching the spectacular sunset and the sunrise besides the mountains and plains of Mirik. You may even check out Kawlay Dara for some more breathtakingly beautiful views of Mirik

Rai Dhap, One can enjoy picnic while in Mirik at Rai Dhap. Rai Dhap has a small lake that is the source of potable water in Mirik.

Kawlay Dara View point, One can get a sweeping view of the plains as well as the snow capped mountains from this viewpoint. The sunrise and sunset from here is a visual delight. The viewpoint is about 30 minutes walk from the tourist hub.

Helipad & Swiss Cottage, The hilltop helipad offers a panoramic view of Mirik and the Samendu Lake.

Devi-Sthan, The small temple, situated under dense foliage of the 'dhupi' forest, is considered very holy by the local. Mirik also offers the wondrous vista of the Kunchenjunga and the other Himalayan peaks that captures everyone's heart and in turn gets captured in the cameras। At a distance of 30 km from Mirik is an ideal picnic spot of Dudhia whose beauty attracts several tourists and nature lovers। For the adventure seekers treks from Mirik to Sandakphu, Phalut, Kurseong via Balasan River and Namsu are possible।
(Weather)
Mirik is pleasant all through the year. The temperature variations in Mirik range between thirteen and thirty degrees in winters and summers respectively।
(Location)
The hill resort of Mirik is situated 52 km। Away from Siliguri at an altitude of 1,768m in the Eastern Himalayas।
(How to Get There)
By Air:
The airport nearest to Mirik is in Bagdogra at a distance of 55 km।
Road & Rail: The broad gauge railhead at New Jalpiaguri caters to the rail transportation to Mirik but is 60 km away from the hill resort. The excellent road network links Mirik with other important places like Bagdogra, Siliguri, Kurseong and Darjeeling.

(Accommodation)
Accommodation is easily available at Mirik. You may take your pick from the many hotels, tourist Lodge, tourist hostel and tourist cottages in Mirik.

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