Mirik
Encyclopedia
Mirik is a picturesque tourist spot nestled in the serene hills of Darjeeling district
in West Bengal
, India
. The name Mirik comes from the Lepcha
words Mir-Yok meaning "place burnt by fire".
Mirik has become a tourist destination for its climate, natural beauty and accessibility. The centre of all attraction is the Sumendu lake made by surrounded by a garden on one side and pine trees on the other, linked together by an arching footbridge called Indreni Pull (Rainbow Bridge). A 3.5-km-long road encircles the lake and is used for walks with the view of Kangchenjunga
on the far horizon. Boating on the quaint shikaras and pony riding are available.
Mirik (rural unit) had a total population of 42237. Males numbered 21112 and females 21125. The density of population was 354 per square km. The decadal growth rate of population (1991–2001) was -1.33.
Mirik is a community development block in the Kurseong subdivision
of Darjeeling district. The urban hub at Mirik is looked after by a Municipality having 9 wards while the outlying villages fall under 6 Gram Panchayats: Chenga Panighata, Pahilagaon School Dara–I, Pahilagaon School Dara–II, Soureni
–I, Soureni–II and Duptin. There is long-standing demand for making Mirik a separate subdivision in Darjeeling district. A Taluka Court, which has a Civil Judge and a Judicial Magistrate, operates in Mirik.
There is a Government Hospital at Mirik which has 6 general physicians and
one dentist. There is no specialist doctor but for eyes there is an optometrician. There are two medical shops at Krishnanagar and one pathological lab cum optical shop. There are few more medicine shops at Mirik Bazar.
of West Bengal. Kurseong Assembly Constituency is an assembly segment of the Darjeeling Lok Sabha Constituency
.
and around 50 km from Darjeeling. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra
(52 km) and the nearest railway station at New Jalpaiguri
(50 km).
There are few buses that ply from Mirik to Siliguri and from Mirik to Darjeeling. Shared taxis operate from Mirik to Siliguri and the current fare per head is Rs. 60. One can hire a taxi at a cost of Rs 800 to 1200. Shared taxis also operate from Darjeeling Motor Stand to Krishnanagar,Mirik (just beside the Mirik Lake) and the fare is 60/head. It is operated by Mirik Tour & Travels (Darjeeling Office at Darjeeling Motor Stand,Contact No: +91890656953,+919832366386) For internal transportation, there are shared taxis available. It costs Rs 5 per head to travel from Mirik Lake to Mirik Bazar.
There are a number of hotels and lodges in Mirik. Hotel Jagjeet is the best. The motel of Mirik, run by the DGHC, is situated at a hilltop near the helipad at Allay. There are other good hotels in Krishnanagar such as Sadbhavna, Ratnagiri, Mhelung, The Park Hotel, Viraz, Parijat and Blue Lagoon. There are some hotels in Mirik Bazar such as Boudi Hotel and Hotel Payal. There are many lodges and private guest houses such as Nigha, Ashirvad and Buddha. There is a beautiful Forest Rest House in Mirik that can be booked from the District Forest Office, Kurseong. A tourist lodge, run by the D.G.H.C., is located very near the lake. There is also a P.W.D. Inspection Bungalow near the lake that can be booked from Siliguri P.W.D. office. Rangbhang Homestay is the first homestay in the Mirik Valley and offers one of a kind experience.
There are numerous eateries catering to different tastes. Kolkata Hotel serves pure Bengali food. T Plus is an ideal fast food center. Geetanjali Nepali Hotel and Hills Restaurant are other restaurants. There are some foreign liquor off-shops and bars. Hotel Lohit Sagar and Tejashwee Fast Food serves pure vegetarian food, including South Indian dishes. There is a departmental store for foodstuffs and soft drinks attached to Mirik petrol pump. Near Mirik Lake there are many food stalls that serve hot fast food but they are available till sunset.
Darjeeling district
Darjeeling District is the northernmost district of the state of West Bengal in eastern India in the foothills of the Himalayas. The district is famous for its beautiful hill stations and Darjeeling tea. Darjeeling is the district headquarters...
in West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The name Mirik comes from the Lepcha
Lepcha language
Lepcha language, or Róng language , is a Himalayish language spoken by the Lepcha people in Sikkim and parts of West Bengal, Nepal and Bhutan.-Population:...
words Mir-Yok meaning "place burnt by fire".
Mirik has become a tourist destination for its climate, natural beauty and accessibility. The centre of all attraction is the Sumendu lake made by surrounded by a garden on one side and pine trees on the other, linked together by an arching footbridge called Indreni Pull (Rainbow Bridge). A 3.5-km-long road encircles the lake and is used for walks with the view of Kangchenjunga
Kangchenjunga
Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain of the world with an elevation of and located along the India-Nepal border in the Himalayas.Kangchenjunga is also the name of the section of the Himalayas and means "The Five Treasures of Snows", as it contains five peaks, four of them over...
on the far horizon. Boating on the quaint shikaras and pony riding are available.
Geography
Mirik is located at 26.9°N 88.17°E. It has an average elevation of 1495 metres (4904 feet). The highest point is 5800 feet and the lowest point (Mirik Lake) is 4900 feet.The Boker Monastery is the highest point which is 5800 feet from the sea level.Climate
The climate is pleasant all the year round with temperatures of a maximum of 30°C in summer and a minimum of 2°C in winter.Demographics
As of 2001 India census, Mirik (urban unit) had a total population of 9141. Males numbered 4619 and females 4522. Mirik had an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. The density of population was 1406 per square km. The decadal growth rate of population (1991–2001) was 30.18.Mirik (rural unit) had a total population of 42237. Males numbered 21112 and females 21125. The density of population was 354 per square km. The decadal growth rate of population (1991–2001) was -1.33.
Administration and Health Care
Kurseong subdivision
Kurseong subdivision is a subdivision of the Darjeeling district in the state of West Bengal, India. It consists of the Kurseong municipality, Mirik municipality and two community development blocks: Mirik and Kurseong. The two blocks contain 20 gram panchayats...
of Darjeeling district. The urban hub at Mirik is looked after by a Municipality having 9 wards while the outlying villages fall under 6 Gram Panchayats: Chenga Panighata, Pahilagaon School Dara–I, Pahilagaon School Dara–II, Soureni
Soureni
Soureni is a village near Mirik in Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India. The market of Soureni Bazar caters to several villages and tea gardens of the surrounding area. There are two tea estates near Soureni Bazar - Soureni Tea Estate and Mechi Tea Estate. Soureni has a huge potential for...
–I, Soureni–II and Duptin. There is long-standing demand for making Mirik a separate subdivision in Darjeeling district. A Taluka Court, which has a Civil Judge and a Judicial Magistrate, operates in Mirik.
There is a Government Hospital at Mirik which has 6 general physicians and
one dentist. There is no specialist doctor but for eyes there is an optometrician. There are two medical shops at Krishnanagar and one pathological lab cum optical shop. There are few more medicine shops at Mirik Bazar.
Legislative segment
As per order of the Delimitation Commission in respect of the delimitation of constituencies in West Bengal, the whole area under Kurseong subdivision, viz. Kurseong municipality, Mirik municipality, Kurseong block and Mirik block will be part of the Kurseong Assembly ConstituencyKurseong (Vidhan Sabha constituency)
Kurseong is an assembly constituency in Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal.-Extent:As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, No...
of West Bengal. Kurseong Assembly Constituency is an assembly segment of the Darjeeling Lok Sabha Constituency
Darjeeling (Lok Sabha Constituency)
Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 543 parliamentary constituencies in India. The constituency centres on Darjeeling in West Bengal.-Election results:-1951-1971:The winners are shown below. -1977-2004:-See also:...
.
Transportation
Mirik is 41 km from Darjeeling more of SiliguriSiliguri
Siliguri is a city in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in the Siliguri Corridor or Chicken's Neck - a very narrow strip of land linking mainland India to its north-eastern states. It is also the transit point for air, road and rail traffic to the neighbouring countries of Nepal,...
and around 50 km from Darjeeling. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra
Bagdogra
Bagdogra is a small town in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, which is surrounded by tea gardens. Bagdogra is well connected by rail and air to the rest of the country. Bagdogra Airport is the only airport in North Bengal, which is now an International Airport. -References:...
(52 km) and the nearest railway station at New Jalpaiguri
New Jalpaiguri
New Jalpaiguri is a major railway station of the city of Siliguri in the Indian state of West Bengal. The station is popularly known by its acronym NJP...
(50 km).
Accommodation and Fooding
Mirik consists of few localities namely Mirik Bazar, Thana Line, Krishnanagar, Dewsidara, Thurbo, Mirik Busty,Byapary Gola etc but most of the hotels and restaurants are at Krishnanagar area.There are a number of hotels and lodges in Mirik. Hotel Jagjeet is the best. The motel of Mirik, run by the DGHC, is situated at a hilltop near the helipad at Allay. There are other good hotels in Krishnanagar such as Sadbhavna, Ratnagiri, Mhelung, The Park Hotel, Viraz, Parijat and Blue Lagoon. There are some hotels in Mirik Bazar such as Boudi Hotel and Hotel Payal. There are many lodges and private guest houses such as Nigha, Ashirvad and Buddha. There is a beautiful Forest Rest House in Mirik that can be booked from the District Forest Office, Kurseong. A tourist lodge, run by the D.G.H.C., is located very near the lake. There is also a P.W.D. Inspection Bungalow near the lake that can be booked from Siliguri P.W.D. office. Rangbhang Homestay is the first homestay in the Mirik Valley and offers one of a kind experience.
There are numerous eateries catering to different tastes. Kolkata Hotel serves pure Bengali food. T Plus is an ideal fast food center. Geetanjali Nepali Hotel and Hills Restaurant are other restaurants. There are some foreign liquor off-shops and bars. Hotel Lohit Sagar and Tejashwee Fast Food serves pure vegetarian food, including South Indian dishes. There is a departmental store for foodstuffs and soft drinks attached to Mirik petrol pump. Near Mirik Lake there are many food stalls that serve hot fast food but they are available till sunset.
Getting around
- Sumendu Lake - It is the heart of Mirik. There is an 80-ft (24-m) long footbridge over the lake. One can boat in the lake or take a horse ride around the lake.
- Rameetay Dara - A viewpoint near the town from where one can see the surrounding mountains and the vast plains below.
- Bokar Monastery - It is located on the way to Rameetay Dara and is famous as a Buddhist meditation center.
- Rai Dhap - Source of drinking water for Mirik and a picnic spot.
- Debisthan - A temple of a Hindu goddess located on a hillock near the Sumendu lake.
- Tingling View Point - A panaromic view of the tea gardens can been seen from here.
- Tea Gardens - A number of tea gardens producing the famous Darjeeling teaDarjeeling teaDarjeeling tea is a black tea from the Darjeeling region in West Bengal, India. When properly brewed, it yields a thin-bodied, light-colored infusion with a floral aroma...
are located in and around Mirik.
- Orange Orchards - Mirik is famous for its high-quality oranges. These are grown in Mirik Busty, Murmah and Soureni Busty.
- Orchids - Mirik has one of the best climate for a typical orchid called Cymbidium orchids, which fetches one of the highest prices in the world flower markets. One such Cymbidium orchid garden is "Darjeeling Gardens Pvt. Ltd." located in Rato Mate in Mirik.
- Bunkulung (Jayanti Nagar) - Ecotourism is being promoted here and home-stay facilities are available here. Rangbhang Homestay, Mirik Busty also promotes eco-tourism.
- Pasupati Nagar - This border market with Nepal is a commercial center for trade in clothes, electronic and household goods.
- Mirik Church - It is located near Don Bosco School.One of the most beautiful and one of the bigger catholic church of Darjeeling district.
- Swiss Cottage (also known as Motel) - an exotic lodging at the highest altitude of Mirik, far from the crowds of the town.
- Sunrise Point - Scenic views of the sun rising in the east and its reflection on Kanchanjunga in the north. The plains of North Bengal can also be seen from here.
Banks and ATMs
There are three banks in Mirik, namely, State Bank of India (SBI), United Bank of India and Central Bank of India. There are three ATMs, one of SBI, one of HDFC Bank and the other of Axis Bank, all located at Krishnanagar.High schools and colleges
- Orange Lake School (English medium) ICSEIndian Certificate of Secondary EducationThe Indian Certificate of Secondary Education or ICSE examination is an examination conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, a private, non-governmental board of school education in India, for class 10, i.e., grade 10...
and ISCIndian School CertificateThe Indian School Certificate is an examination conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations for Grade 11, i.e., year 11, until 1976.... - Lewis English School (English medium) ICSE
- Don Bosco School (English medium) Madhyamik (WBBSE)
- Mirik Higher Secondary School (English medium) Madhyamik (WBBSE) and Higher Secondary (WBCHSE); Vocational Education Travel and Tourism course (affiliated to W.B.S.C.V.E.T.)
- Soureni Rabindranath High School (Nepali medium) Madhyamik (WBBSE) and HS (WBCHSE)
- Phuguri High School (Nepali medium) Madhyamik (WBBSE) and HS (WBCHSE)
- Woodland Academy (English medium) ICSE
- Glenmore International School (English medium) ICSE
- Pine Hall Academy, Soureni (English medium) ICSE
- Temple of Wisdom, Soureni (English medium) ICSE
- Green Lawn School, Soureni (English medium) ICSE
- Thurbo High School, 9th Mile (Nepali medium) Madhayamik (WBBSE) and HS (WBCHSE)
- Cambridge English School (English medium) ICSE
- Rasdal Gaon Junior High School (English medium) Madhayamik (WBBSE)
- Murmah Prem Sundar High School (Nepali medium) Madhayamik (WBBSE)
- Sophies Academy (Nepali and English medium), Secondary and Senior Secondary (NIOSNational Institute of Open SchoolingThe National Institute of Open Schooling , is the Board of Education for open schools in India. It was established by the Ministry of Human Resource Development of the Government of India in 1989 to provide education inexpensively to remote areas...
) - Snowdrops School (English medium)
- Mirik College (affiliated to North Bengal University)