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Hill Stations
In India
Mirik
INTRODUCTION
(MIRIK)
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 Bengal
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
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
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.
MIRIK
(Weather)
Mirik is pleasant all through the year. The temperature
variations in Mirik range between thirteen and thirty degrees in
winters and summers respectively.
MIRIK
(Location)
The hill resort of Mirik is situated 52 km. Away
from Siliguri at an altitude of 1,768m in the Eastern Himalayas.
MIRIK(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
MIRIK
(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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