Lava (town)

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Coordinates: 27.06° N 88.7° E

Lava

Lava
State
 - District(s)
West Bengal
 - Darjeeling
Coordinates 27.06° N 88.7° E
Area
 - Elevation

 - 2,200 m
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Population (2001)
 - Density

 - 
Codes
 - Postal
 - Telephone
 - Vehicle
 
 - 734 314
 - +03552
 - WB-78, 79

Lava is a small hamlet situated 34 km east of the town of Kalimpong via Algarah in the state of West Bengal, India. Lava is situated at an altitude of 2,100 metres. It is one of the few places in West Bengal to receive snow in winter. The route to Lava is scenic with the change in vegetation from tropical deciduous to the wet alpine trees of fir, pine and birch. The idyllic verdant forests are an ideal spot for picnicking, trekking and bird watching and other peripatetic activities. The road is untouched by modern life and one is treated to rustic hamlets whose inhabitants are still living as they have for centuries.

View from the town of Lava
Enlarge
View from the town of Lava

The region is still virgin and wild animals such as the Himalayan Black Bear, barking deer are found in profusion in these parts. A Buddhist monastery is present on one of the hills of Lava.

Lava is also near the vicinity of the Jelepla Pass, the ancient trade route to Tibet and the Neora Valley National Park.

A clock tower in the main town square
Enlarge
A clock tower in the main town square