'Place burnt by fire': Mirik

My Driver asked me, Madam, Would you like to see 'Mirik' ?

Mirik, it still reminds me of my decision which I took without giving a second thought while going to the Darjeeling. The name sounds to me very unique and I said Yes ! Why not.

I still remember the wonderful scenic drive through tea gardens on hill slope. As we started the uphill journey, I felt as if I was rising above the earth, rising above the clouds. All I can see was white snow with mist in the air. On the way, I saw a lot of orange orchades and passed by the famous tea estate of Goodricke.

It was altogether a nostalgic view . I reached Mirik around 5:00 pm in the evening. Mirik is a small and sleepy hill town nestled in the serene hills of Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India. I had a very deep query about the term M.I.R.I.K since I was so fascinated with this name. Mirik comes from Lepcha words Mir-Yok meaning ;place burnt by fire. Mirik central attraction is its 1 km long lovely lake surrounded by Dhupi trees on one side and garden on the other side. The garden area has a playground where the British officers played polo during British Era in India. I still remember the Sumendu Lake surrounded by a garden and pine trees which was linked together by an arching footbridge called Indreni Pull. I sat down for sometime along the bank of the lake and relaxed with closed eyes then I crossed over the arching footbridge and crossover to the other side of the lake walked through the dhupi forest. I reached to the top of the monastery known as Bokar Monastery and which is famous as a Buddhist meditation center. Top of the monastery had a Tingling view point, a panoramic view of the the tea gardens.

My driver suggested me that if I would have started early, I could have a reach a beautiful pace called Jorpokhri. This tiny place on a hill top has twin lakes, surrounded by forest and offers magnificent views of Kanchenjunga.

After this 2 hours of visit, all I can say is that 'Mirik' ! you took my heart away