Mirik

Mirik
Town
Mirik town with a view of Sumendu Lake
Mirik
Location of Mirik in West Bengal
Mirik
Mirik (India)
Coordinates: 26°53′13″N 88°11′13″E / 26.887°N 88.187°E / 26.887; 88.187Coordinates: 26°53′13″N 88°11′13″E / 26.887°N 88.187°E / 26.887; 88.187
Country  India
State West Bengal
District Darjeeling
Government
 • Body Municipality/Notified Area
Elevation 1,495 m (4,905 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 11,513 (urban), 46,374 (rural)
Languages
 • Official Nepali, English
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
Lok Sabha constituency Darjeeling
Vidhan Sabha constituency Kurseong

Mirik is a tourist spot located in the hills of Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of Mirik subdivision. 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 environment and easy accessibility. The centre of all attraction is Sumendu Lake, surrounded by a garden named Savitri Pushpaudyan (after Savitri Thapa, a martyr soldier of INA) on one side and pine trees on the other, linked together by an arching footbridge called Indreni Pool (named after Indreni Thapa, a martyr soldier of INA). 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 horse riding are available.

History

Mirik Bazar began a commercial centre of the region where people from the surrounding villages and tea gardens came to trade and buy their necessities. The present lake area was a marshland with thick growth of sweet flag (Acorus calamus, locally called bojho). A playground stood in the present garden area where the British officers played polo.

In 1969, the West Bengal tourism department began the process of acquiring 335 acres of land from the neighbouring Thurbo tea estate. The work of developing this land into a tourist spot began in 1974 when Siddhartha Shankar Ray was the chief minister of West Bengal. The tourist spot, which included the newly built lake and the Day Centre, was inaugurated by the next chief minister of West Bengal, Jyoti Basu, in April 1979. With the flourishing of tourism, Krishnanagar developed on the other end of the lake with hotels and restaurants catering to tourists.

Mirik became the subdivisional headquarters of Mirik subdivision on 30 March 2017.

Demographics

The 2011 Census of India recorded a population of 11,513 in Mirik Notified Area (i.e., urban unit). 5688 were males and 5825 were females.[1] Mirik rural area (under 6 gram panchayats) recorded a total population of 46,374. Males numbered 23,394 and females 22,980.[2]

As per the 2001 Census of India, Mirik urban area had a total population of 9141. Males numbered 4619 and females 4522. Mirik rural area had a total population of 42,237. Males numbered 21,112 and females 21,125. The decadal growth rate of population (1991–2001) was -1.33.

Administration and health care

The urban hub at Mirik is administered by a Municipality/Notified Area with nine wards while the outlying rural villages are taken care of by Mirik community development block, which has six Gram Panchayats: Chenga Panighata, Pahilagaon School Dara–I, Pahilagaon School Dara–II, Soureni–I, Soureni–II and Duptin.

A Taluka Court, which has a Civil Judge and a Judicial Magistrate, operates in Mirik.

There is a government hospital at Mirik with six general physicians and one dentist. There are no specialist doctors but 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 area under Mirik municipality and Mirik block will be part of the Kurseong Assembly Constituency of West Bengal. Kurseong Assembly Constituency is an assembly segment of the Darjeeling Lok Sabha Constituency.

Geography and climate

Mirik has an average elevation of 1,495 m (4,905 ft). The highest point is the Boker Monastery at about 1,768 m (5,801 ft). Mirik lake at about 1,494 m (4,902 ft) is the lowest point. Mirik is 52 km (32 mi) northwest of Siliguri city and 49 km (30 mi) south-southwest of Darjeeling town.

The climate is pleasant almost all the year round with temperatures of a maximum of 30 °C in summer and a minimum of 1 °C in winter.

Transportation

Mirik is 52 km (32 mi) northwest of Siliguri city and 49 km (30 mi) south-southwest of Darjeeling town.

Bagdogra (IATA airport code IXB) 52 km (32 mi) south of Mirik is the nearest airport and New Jalpaiguri adjacent to Siliguri is the nearest railway station.

Sumendu Lake at Mirik.

Few buses ply from Mirik to Siliguri and Darjeeling and the fare is Rs. 70. Shared taxis operate from Mirik to Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kakarbhitta (Nepal), Sonada, and Kalimpong. The fare is Rs. 100 for Siliguri, Kurseong and Darjeeling (2018) and Rs 120 for Kakarvitta and Sonada (2018) per passenger. One can hire a taxi at a cost of Rs. 1200 to 1600 for Darjeeling, Kurseong, Siliguri and Kakarivitta. Shared taxis also operate from Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kurseong, Sonada and Kakarbhitta to Mirik. Shared taxis are operated from Mirik by Mirik Tours & Travels (Krishnanagar). Taxis are available for internal transportation within Mirik to travel from Mirik Lake (Krishnanagar) to Mirik Bazar at Rs. 15 per head.

Accommodation

Mirik Bazar, Thana Line, Krishnanagar, Deuseydara, Thurbo, Mirik Busty and Byapari Golai are some localities in Mirik where accommodation is available for tourists. However, the majority of the hotels and restaurants are in the Krishnanagar area of Mirik. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration operates a motel at a hilltop near the helipad at Ahalay and another tourist lodge located near the lake. There are other good hotels in Krishnanagar such as Jagjeet, 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 Forest Rest House in Mirik that can be booked from the District Forest Office, Kurseong. There is also a PWD (Public Works Department) Inspection Bungalow near the lake that can be booked from Siliguri PWD 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. Nesang's Gorkha cafe and restaurant serves Gorkha dishes and showcases Gorkha tradition and culture. 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 the lake, there are many food stalls that serve fast food.

Getting around

Mirik Motel.
  • 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[3] - It is located on the way to Rameetay Dara and is 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 panoramic view of the tea gardens can be seen from here.
  • Tea Gardens - A number of tea gardens produce Darjeeling tea specially Thurbo, Soureni, Gopaldhara, Singbulli, Okayti and Phuguri are located in and around Mirik.
  • Manjushree Park - 20 mins drive from Mirik. Suitable for children and peace-seekers.
Tourist vehicles at Mirik.
  • Orange Orchards - Mirik is known 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.[4]
  • Bunkulung (Jayanti Nagar) - Ecotourism is being promoted here and several home-stay facilities are available.
  • Pashupatinagar - This border market with Nepal is a commercial center for trade in clothes, electronic and household goods.
  • Don Bosco Church- It is located near Don Bosco School. One of the bigger Catholic churches of Darjeeling district.
  • Mirik Church (UCNI) - This is the oldest Church in Mirik, situated at Deosay Dara, Ward No. IV, Mirik. The church building being erected in 1962 while the house church (fellowship) started some eight decade ago. The same old building still exists today. The church remains open everyday for everyone. While English Service starts at 9:30 am Sunday followed by Nepali Service at 11:00 am onwards. The Church is in close relationship with Darjeeling Hills Bible School (DHBS) which the first school offering theological training in nepali language since 1954. Through many decades Mirik Church and Darjeeling Hills Bible School have being continuously contributing evangelism in Nepali Speaking Community.[5]
  • Darjeeling Hills Bible School (DHBS) -
  • Swiss Cottage (also known as Motel) - An exotic lodging at the highest altitude of Mirik, far from the crowds of the town.
  • Sunrise Point - 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 Financial Institutions

There are six banks in Mirik, namely, State Bank of India (branch code: 7336) (Krishnanagar), United Bank of India (Krishnanagar), Indian Overseas Bank (Krishnanagar), Central Bank of India (Mirik Bazar), Uttar Banga Kshetriya Gramin Bank (Soureni Bazar, 6 km on the way to Siliguri) and Punjab & Sind Bank (Mirik Bazar). There are seven ATMs, two of SBI (one located in Mirik Bazaar, one in Krishnanagar), one of Central Bank of India (Mirik Bazaar), one of HDFC Bank, one of Axis Bank (both located at Krishnanagar) and two of IndiCash ATM (one located in Thana Line, Mirik and one in Soureni Bazar).

Other financial institutes like Postal Savings, NABARD, Bandhan Finance, and Customer Service Points of private financial institutions are available.

High schools and colleges

Buddhist Monastery in Mirik.

CBSE affiliated

  • Snowdrops School (English medium) CBSE

CISCE Affiliated

  • Brindavan Boarding School (English medium)
  • Orange Lake School (English medium)
  • Glenmore International School (English medium)
  • Lewis English School (English medium)

WBBSE and WBCHSE affiliated

  • 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)
  • Thurbo High School, 9th Mile (Nepali medium) Madhayamik (WBBSE) and HS (WBCHSE)
  • 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 (NIOS)

College

References

  1. ↑ Mirik Notified Area census, Census of India 2011.
  2. ↑ Mirik Subdistrict census, Census of India 2011.
  3. ↑ Ven. Bokar Rinpoche, Bokar Monastery.
  4. ↑ Rato Mate, Darjeeling Gardens Pvt. Ltd.
  5. ↑ https://www.google.co.in/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x39e4336664190f6b:0xb6b83d7aa277fe82!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4s//lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iMfvjxDz0WM/WNSrcln3oLI/AAAAAAAAADM/UrXLHlXoS20VOsPV1pI1qLXUSSwEQ-FLQCLIB/w173-h230-k-no/!5s+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e3!2s-iMfvjxDz0WM/WNSrcln3oLI/AAAAAAAAADM/UrXLHlXoS20VOsPV1pI1qLXUSSwEQ-FLQCLIB
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