Mirik (Sumedha Lake & Pashupati)

Mirik literally means in Lepcha words as Mir-Yok meaning "place burnt by fire". Mirik is a small settlement in Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal and is the headquarters of the Mirik subdivision. It is situated along the Nepal Border. The settlement is situated around Sumedhu Lake as the center. The lake area was a marshland with thick growth of Acorus calamus, locally called bojho with a playground. Earlier the area was a Polo Ground for British officers who played there. It is all green, valleys dotted with beautiful Tea Gardens and captivating hill. The centre of attraction is the Sumendu Lake surrounded by a garden on one side and pine trees on the other. They are linked together by an arching footbridge called Indrani Pull or the Rainbow Bridge. It is all green, valleys dotted with beautiful Tea Gardens and captivating hill. Mirik developed as a destination and many hotels & resorts started coming up. It is nearly midway between Darjeeling and Siliguri on a different route and is increasingly becoming popular amongst tourists. Though being tourist spot tourists does not stay back for more than one night. Most tourists stay at Darjeeling and spend one day for an excursion to Mirik.

Mirik Tour Information includes Stay, Sightseeing and Transport. Places of interest in Mirik are Sumendu Lake, Rameetay Dara, Bokar Monastery as a Buddhist meditation centre, Rai Dhap, Debisthan, Tingling View Point, Tea Gardens, Orange Orchards, Mirik Busty, Murmah, Soureni Busty, Orchids and nurseries, Bunkulung or Jayanti Nagar, Pasupati Nagar, Mirik Church, Swiss Cottage and Sunrise point is worth visiting.  Sunrise Point

Mirik is known for the Samendu Lake situated at an elevation of nearly 1750 meters i.e. 5800 feet. Sumedhu / Sumendhu lake is nearly 1.25 kilometers long fed by perennial streams that keeps the place cool. A floating fountain in the middle of the lake and the view of mount Kanchenjungha reflected in the lake waters is just amazing. Nightlife in Mirik is nearly nonexistent. It is almost 50 kilometers from Darjeeling. The main attraction of Mirik is Sumendu Lake with boating facilities. Sumendu Lake is the heart of Mirik and it has an 80 feet footbridge over the lake, one can boat in the lake. Rameetay Dara is a viewpoint near the town from where one can see the surrounding mountains. There is Bokar Monastery located on the way to Rameetay Dara and is a Buddhist meditation center. Rai Dhap is a beautiful picnic spot and the source of water to the lake.  Debisthan. A temple of a Hindu goddess located on a hillock near the Sumendu Lake Worth visiting is Debisthan. Tingling View Point offers a view of the tea gardens surrounding the area. The Tea Gardens around the place is worth enjoying. One can visit the factory also to watch the making of Orthodox Tea.  A number of famous Tea Estate is in and around Mirik producing the world's best Tea. The place is surrounded by Orange Orchards and the places known for oranges are Mirik Busty, Murmah, and Soureni Busty. Orchids produce typical orchid called Cymbidium orchids. Bunkulung or Jayanti Nagar is known for Homestay and fish farming. Rangbhang Homestay is one such homestay worth staying. Sourinee is known for Tea Estate. It's a luxurious stay. Pasupati Nagar is near the Indo Nepal Border. One can cross Indian border and visit the Market known for foreign goods. Clothes, electronics, and household goods are quite an attraction. Mirik Church is one of the bigger catholic church of Darjeeling district. Swiss Cottage is an exotic lodging at the highest altitude of Mirik.

The small destination is in the hills of Darjeeling district in the state of West Bengal. There are a few lovely Tea Resort, Home Stay, Hotels. There are quite a number of places in and around Mirik which is worth staying. The climate of Mirik is pleasant for the most part of the year hence it is always crowded during the day. One can visit Sumendhu lake by walk takes you along the lake over a sleek footbridge connects the garden on the east with the woods on the west. Tabakoshi, Bunkulung, Chamong, Sourinee Tea, Sukhiapokhori, Rammam, Palmazua, Dhotrey, Okhrey, Simana, etc are nearby places which offer homestay or Tea Bungalows. These destinations are offbeat but has a scenic location and are getting popularity due to its homestay and other facilities which are picking up fast.

For Sandakphu trek one can start from Mirik or Manaybhanjan and similarly one can terminate the trek here at Mirik. Chitrey, Okhrey, Tonglu, Gauribas, Kalapokhori are the major stoppage on the way to Sandakphu. One day trek, Angling, birding can be organized at Mirik. Basically, Mirik is half a day visit is included in Darjeeling 03 Nights package. There is no nightlife hence its best to visit the place during the day. 

Mirik is a popular site for its climate, natural environment and easy accessibility. The Market Place or Bazaar began as a commercial centre where people from the surrounding area and tea gardens came to buy their necessities. With the gradual flow of tourists, Krishnanagar developed with hotels and restaurants catering to tourists. Climate is pleasant almost all the year round with temperatures of a maximum of 28°C in summer and a minimum of 02°C in winter. Numerous eateries catering to different tastes has sprung up in the region. Gorkha & Bengali food is more popular here. Numerous Homestay has sprung up and each has their own attraction.

Destinations around Mirik- For visit Or stay places like Bunkulung, Chamong, Jorepokhori, Baramangua, Tinchuley, Peshok, Palmajua, Sukhiapokhri, Sandakphu, Tonglu, Palmazua, Badamtam, Sittong, Mungpoo, Mongpong, Manebhanjan, Takdah, Tinchuley, Lamahtta, are worth visiting. Darjeeling and Kuseong is also worth staying. Kurseong is 55 kilometers and is nearly 02 hours drive. Places of tourist interest in Kurseong are Amootia Shiva Temple, Giddha Pahar Sita Ram Mandir, Giddahpahar Durga Mata Mandir, Jagdish Mandir, Buddhist Gompa, Kunsang Choiling Monastery, Juma Mosque, Goretto and Catholic church in St. Mary's Hill, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Museum and NSC Bose Institute of Asiatic Studies, Chimney & Eagles Craig. Darjeeling is 60 kilometers from Mirik and is a minimum of 02 nights stay. Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Roapway, Ghoom, Batasia Loop etc are places of interest in Darjeeling

Places of Interest

• Mirik Lake
• Pashupati market in Nepal
• Semana
• Sourinee Tea Estate
• Chamong
• Bunkulung & Taba Koshi
• Sukhiapokhori
• ManeyBhanjan & Okhrey
• Darjeeling & Lamahatta
• Kurseong & Sittong
• Chatakpur & Bagura
• Makaibari & Ambootia
• Chitrey & Tonglu
• Palmazua & Rammam
• Dhotrey
• Rimbick
• Sandakphu
• Orange Orchard
• Ginger Plantation
• Sourene Tea Bungalow
• Thurbo Tea Estate

Connectivity / Communication

Airways: The nearest major airport is Bagdogra Airport (IXB). It is approximately 65 kilometers and is nearly 01½ hours to 02 hours drive through the world’s best Tea Estate. Pakyong Airport is approximately 125 kilometers and is nearly 04 to 04½ hour’s drive through Reshi Road and National Highway 10. Siliguri is roughly 01½ hours to 02 hours drive from the Mirik. Darjeeling is 50 kilometers and is nearly 02 hours' drive.  The drive to Darjeeling is also a scenic route touching Nepal Border at Pashupati. Scheduled flights are available from cities such as New Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.

Railway:  New Jalpaiguri Railway station (NJP) is the nearest railway station to Mirik which is well connected to the major cities such as Trivandrum, Delhi, Mumbai, Ajmer, Bangalore, Secunderabad, Guwahati and Chennai, Cochin, Kolkata,  etc. It is approximately 50 kilometers from Darjeeling and nearly 56 kilometers from Siliguri Town. It is also roughly 50 kilometers from the famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Station (DHR). Hence one can avail the Joy ride of DHR staying at Mirik. 

Roadways: Mirik is approximately 65 kilometers from Bagdogra Airport (IXB) and New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. It is approximately 50 kilometers from Darjeeling. Bagdogra is approximately 60 kilometers south of Mirik.  Siliguri is roughly 01½ hours to 02 hours drive from the Mirik. Darjeeling is 50 kilometers and is nearly 02 hours' drive. Mirik is roughly 60 kilometers to Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / New Jalpaiguri Railway station (NJP). The town is nearly 90 Kilometers from Kalimpong and approximately 160 Kilometers from Gangtok. There is regular bus service and private vehicles & taxi is available for transfer.