A beautiful Picnic Spot in West Bengal

Mirik is a beautiful hill station which is located almost  half way between Darjeeling and Siliguri in Darjeeling District in West Bengal State. Mirik  is  a  community  block  in  the Kurseong Subdivision of Darjeeling District.

Mirik is located at 26.882, 88.205 at an altitude of 5800 feet above sea level in the Lower Himalayan Range which lies between the Sub-Himalayan Range or the Sivalik Range (Outer Himalayas) and the Great Himalayas in the northern part of West Bengal State in India.

Except the town of Mirik the hill is a dense Pine forest on its east and Tea Gardens on its West towards Darjeeling and Siliguri.

Mirik Lake

Mirik derives its name from the Lepcha (aboriginals of Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet) words 'Mir-Yok' meaning 'place burnt by fire'. The story behind the naming of this place is uncertain.

Mirik town is a mix of a charming compact place and the English countryside with Orange Orchards, Tea Gardens and Cardamom Plantations. Plus, Mirik is blessed with a rich look and feel of a tropical paradise at an altitude of 5800 feet. Mirik is an all-year resort as the weather is pleasant throughout the year.

Agro Tourism in Mirik is catching up rapidly what which the Government and private enterprises taking giant steps at fostering the development of Tea, Orange, Cardamom, Orchid and Ginger plantations for domestic as well as for foreign markets.

Tourism in Mirik begins around its gorgeous Mirik (Sumendu) Lake which is 1.25-kilometre long and is the largest lake in north Bengal where there is boating, horse-riding and fishing. The lake also has an 80-foot long foot-over bridge from one side of the Lake to the other which makes it very interesting for tourists to walk over the lake. Nature-walks are tried out by one and all here as the weather here is simply marvelous and you would not feel the strain of walking long distances especially with the clouds in your face. Picnicking around the Lake is another interesting thing to do with your family. The lake is surrounded by tall pines and yet the water reflects the Majestic Kanchenjunga Mountains.  

   

Don Bosco School deserves a special mention and look-see as it was established in 1982 by the Salesians of Don Bosco - Italy based Roman Catholic Institute which is still operated by the same Organization - is known for its excellence in imparting education and attracts thousands of students from all over India. Don Bosco School is reckoned with as one of the top schools in India.

Church, Buddhist Monastery and Temples that dot the Mirik landscape add to the grace of this town and also reflect the fusion of foreign and Indian cultures in Mirik society. Hom Dara - a small hill near Mirik has a temple whose presiding deity is Lord Shiva which is of great importance to the locals and tourists alike.

Shopping for souvenirs and gifts is another interesting thing to do in Pasupati Market and Mirik Bazar in Mirik as they showcase handicrafts and arts of Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal that are rarely seen in the rest of the country.

The restaurants in Mirik are known to serve simple but tasty food of Indian, Tibetan Nepali and Bhutanese cuisine.

Kurseong (33 kms), Siliguri (47 kms), Darjeeling (55 kms)are the nearest big towns.