Mirik

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?Mirik West Bengal • India
Mirik
Coordinates: 26°54′N 88°10′E / 26.9, 88.17
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 1,495 m (4,905 ft)
District(s)	Darjeeling
Population	9,179 (2001)

Coordinates: 26°54′N 88°10′E / 26.9, 88.17

Mirik (Bengali: মিরিক) is a picturesque tourist spot nestled in the serene hills of the district of Darjeeling in West Bengal, India.

Mirik has become a favourite tourist destination, blessed as it is of a pleasant climate, breathtaking natural beauty and easy accessibility.

Life in Mirik is slow paced yet very much alive and vibrant. It provides the perfect soothing balm to tired minds and bodies and after a few days of stay here will invigorate one with spiritual and natural energy.

The centre of all attraction is the Sumendu lake surrounded by a beautiful garden on one side and pine trees on the other, linked together by an arching footbridge. A 3.5-km-long road encircles the lake and is ideal for pleasant walks with the magnificent view of Kanchenjunga on the far horizon. Boating on the quaint shikaras and pony riding are enjoyable.

1 Geography
2 Climate
3 Transportation
4 Demographics
5 Accommodation
6 Getting around
7 External links
8 References
9 See also

[edit] Geography

Lake at Mirik

Mirik is located at 26.9° N 88.17° E^[1]. It has an average elevation of 1495 metres (4904 feet). The best part of Mirik which because of its location is hidden from public gaze of the common tourists is the ORANGE VALLEY. If you return from Mirik just after seeing the Lake and the nearby areas surrounding it you haven't perhaps seen the real Mirik. To see the orange valley you have to trek down for about 1.5 - 2 km through the Mirik Basti approachable from the Mirik Bazaar (right turn from near Mirik Academy as you approach the bazaar from Lake side). It is a very steep, narrow winding road on which you should be preferably driving a 4x4 vehicle or better still if you are trekking down. both sides of the road are dotted with small houses up to about 1.5 - 2 km whereafter you suddenly find vast expanse of land having nothing but orange, ginger, turmeric or black cardamom plantations. The air is pleasantly filled with the fragrance of these plantations. One would love to stay over night in the middle of this paradise but alas there are no lodges or hotels anywhere in the orange vallet and you have to learn to be contented with just one short fleeting visit.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Transportation

Mirik is 55 km from Siliguri and around 50 km from Darjeeling and is well connected by buses and taxis from both the places. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra (55 km) and the nearest railway station at New Jalpaiguri (60 km).

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census^[2], Mirik had a population of 9179. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Mirik has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 65%. In Mirik, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Accommodation

There are a large number of hotels and lodges, cheap yet comfortable, located very near to the lake.

[edit] Getting around

Tea estates around Mirik

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 joyful pony ride around the lake.
Rameetay Dara - A viewpoint near the town from where one can see the vast plains below.
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.
Tea Gardens - A number of tea gardens producing the famed Darjeeling tea are located in and around Mirik.