From Kolkata
Mirik is a fast developing hill station near Darjeeling that is racing to
become exactly what pre-commercialisation Darj once used to be. Emerging from its cocoon
as a slumbering hill town, Mirik is propelling
itself to center-stage on Kolkata’s holiday getaway list. Nestling in the Himalayas,
the town has the serene Lake Sumendu at its heart, some splendid Himalayan views and
treks, and an invigorating climate that welcomes the visitor at any time of the year.
At 1700 m, beautiful terraced tea
estates and sweet smelling spice plantations surround Mirik. Deep forests of cedar and
pine crawl up the hill slopes while orange orchards blossom as far as the eye can see. The
orange orchards are particularly lush, with immense bunches of the juicy fruit that find
their way to West Bengal’s markets.
The biggest tourist draw is Lake
Sumendu at the bottom of Mirik Spur in the center of town. The magnificent
Himalayas are mirrored in Sumendu’s placid waters. Adding to the charm are a floating
fountain and a footbridge that leads into a forest garden. The lake has a cobblestone
promenade that is a delightful place to walk around. This is a lovely picnic spot where
you can drink in the beauty of the mountains, fish or go for a boat ride. A pony ride
around Mirik is a great way to take in all the sights. For spectacular views of the
eastern Himalayas, try Deosi Dara and Ramitey Dara.
Temples dedicated to Shiva,
Hanuman and Kalamata, the Goddess of Time are just a short walk away from the lake. The
Debi Sthan with its Singha Devi temple lies on the lake’s west bank.
Keeping a brooding eye on Mirik, perched high on a hill, is the colourful Bokar
Gompa monastery, the best known of all the Gompas around town.
Mirik is a great place to
kick-start scenic treks into the Himalayas, past orange orchards, tea plantations, quaint
villages and forests. The 8-hour trek to Kurseong via Balasan River and Namsu is the most
popular. You can also trek into the Deosi Hills or right up to the Indo-Nepal border at
Pashupatinagar.
So come and enjoy the charms of
Mirik, the new hill station on the block! |
