MUNGPOO
Mungpoo is a small quaint mountain village under Kurseong sub – division of Darjeeling hills. Mungpoo is famously known for cinchona plantation, flowering Orchids and Rabindra Bhawan. Mungpoo is surrounded with a very traditional and cultured neighborhood all around. Mungpoo is located around 33 km east of Darjeeling and 52 km north-east of Siliguri. Nestled at an altitude of about at an altitude of about 3700 ft. overlooking the turquoise waters of River Teesta, Mungpoo offers tourists with the view of the breath-taking scenic landscapes, magnificent clouds, vast greens and the beauty of nature. At the first glance Mungpoo looks like a town with patchworks of undulating tea estates, kaleidoscopic Orchids and Cinchona plantations. From Darjeeling the route to Mungpoo descends through the dense wilderness of Dhupi, Pine, Cedar, Oak, Birch and Maple trees via Ghoom and 03rd Mile. Apart from Cinchona and Orchids, one can also spot Rhododendrons, Laliguraus and Magnolia on the valleys of Mungpoo. Mungpoo was initially not the center for the production of Cinchona plants, it was the British who brought these Cinchona seeds long away from Peru of Latin America while the Dutch took these Cinchona seeds to Indonesia and planted them. The barks of these Cinchona plants are very useful for the production of Quinine, a medicine naturally used for the treatment of Malaria. Apart from these Cinchona plants, tourists can also spot numerous houses of old architectural style which seems like the British were successful in establishing their empire within this region.
Cinchona Plantation – Mungpoo: The first government Quinine factory was set up at Mungpoo in 1864 and has total number of 175 employees. The successful establishment of Cinchona plantation at Mungpoo was made by Dr. Thomas Anderson in 1864. The Government Emetine factory was also established at Mungpoo. These factories fall under the administration of the Directorate of Cinchona (under the Directorate of Industries, Govt. of West Bengal). This bark was Quinquina in French, it was the Botanist Carolus Linnaeus, who is 1742 established the botanical genus Cinchona.
Places to visit around Mungpoo:
Rabindra Bhawan: Rabindranath Tagore visited Mungpoo quiet often between 1938 and 1942. Tagore used to stay at the residence of his protégé. Though, it is a museum containing Tagore’s photographs, paintings, writings and other of his memories, on visiting Rabindra Bhawan one can find Tagore’s belongings exactly where he had kept them. This bungalow is a must visit spot at Mungpoo for the ones with a soft corner for aesthetics and literature. Rabindra Bhawan or Museum which was in actual the bungalow belonging to Maitri Devi and her husband Manmohan Sen who was the chief Chemist and the director of the Quinine factory at Mungpoo. In the year 1938 Rabindranath Tagore visited Mungpoo from Kalimpong for the first time and became a guest of Maitri Devi. Later in the year 1939 and again in the year 1940 for two times Rabindranath Tagore visited Mungpoo again. While he was in Mungpoo, he celebrated his birthday along with the people of the hills. Later after the demise of Rabindranath Tagore the bungalow was converted and developed into Rabindra Museum in the year 1944, this was India’s and World’s first Rabindra Memorable Bhawan.
Dichen Sherpa Choyling Monastery: Dichen Sherpa Choyling Monastery is located at Nalidara Square at Mungpoo and is also known by the name of Peace Pagoda. From the main market of Mungpoo known as Shanti Chowk within few steps to the upward direct lies this Pagoda or Monastery. But one has to climb few steps in order to reach here. This beautifully and aesthetically designed and painted monastery at Mungpoo is guarded with numerous Buddhists prayer flags. The monastery periphery offers stunning view of the surrounding mountain valleys and gentle breeze blows here throughout the day that rejuvenates one’s mind.
Mungpoo Orchid Centre: Mungpoo Orchid Centre also known as Mungpoo Cymbidium Orchid Park is a park that hosts more than 150 varieties of different Orchids. This Orchid Centre at Mungpoo is located around 07 km away from the main market and the route is through dense thick Cinchona Plantation areas. This Orchid Centre at Mungpoo is a must recommended tourist spot as it offers a deep insight to these different species or Orchids.
Kalijhora Waterfall: Kalijhora Waterfall is a picturesque tourist spot and also a picnic spot located within close proximity to Mungpoo. Kalijhora waterfall is gushing down from a height of about 550 ft. and meets at River Teesta to the northern end of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. But Kalijhora Waterfall is best viewed during monsoon season as during this time the water level rises and makes it more lively and attractive.
Mungpoo Bazaar (Market): The local market at Mungpoo is a live and happening spot and a place worth visiting, as one could get to see numerous permanent and make shift stalls selling varieties of items. The local residents of Mungpoo mainly visit this market in order to purchase their daily need products.
Mungpoo View Point: This is a beautiful Viewpoint located at Mungpoo that offers panoramic view of the surrounding valleys along with the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga and others. This view point at Mungpoo is an ideal spot to spend some quality time and relax.
Surel Bungalow: Surel Bungalow at Mungpoo also known as ‘Surel Kothi’ was built by the British. Surel Bungalow or Surel Kothi is located at the Labdah division of Mungpoo. It is believed that the Surel is derived from the English word Serial as during the British period, it was planned to develop these bungalows as Serial 01, Serial 02 and so on. This is the place where Rabindranath Tagore wrote Camellia. Presently this Surel Bungalow or Surel Kothi is under Cinchona Plantation department of Mungpoo.
Suirel Mandir (Temple): Suirel Mandir or Temple is another point of tourist interest at Mungpoo located at a bit isolated place from the crowd. This is also a heritage structure with very calm, clean and beautiful ambience. Here at Suirel Bungalow tourists can spot hundreds of different sized stones, some of which has developed the shape of statues.
Labdah Sarbajanik Gumba: Labdah Sarbajanik Gumba is a monastery dedicated to Lord Buddha and is located at Labdah division of Mungpoo Cinchona Plantation.
Special Sightseeing:
Jogighat
Sittong
Latpanchar
Ahal Dara
Namthing Pokhri
Lamahatta
Teesta Valley
Darjeeling Town
Tinchuley
Kurseong
Mirik
Special activities at Mungpoo:
River Fishing
Night Camping
Bon Fire
Trekking
How to reach:
By Air: The nearby airport to Mungpoo is Bagdogra Airport which is a journey of about 02 hours away by road. From Bagdogra Airport around 60 km away lays Mungpoo via NH 10.
By Rail: The nearest rail head to Mungpoo is New Jalpaiguri Railway station which is located around 52 km away north-east of Siliguri via NH 10. From NJP railway station it takes around 1.5 hours to reach Mungpoo from Siliguri.
By Road: From Bagdogra, Siliguri, Darjeeling and NJP railway station tourist will get both reserved or shared cars to reach Mungpoo. From Darjeeling around 33 km away by road to the east lays Mungpoo. From Siliguri by road via Sevoke Road and Rambhi lies Mungpoo. Mungpoo is located around 40 km away from Kalimpong, 88.8 km away from Gangtok and 67.3 km away from Mirik.
Best time to visit Mungpoo:
Mungpoo is best visited in the months of October to mid-June. During these months the temperature observes dip and soothing. One can also witness Cinchona plantations in full bloom during these months. Monsoon is not advisable, though during this time of the year the surrounding greenery becomes more dense and thick.
KALPABRIKSHA HOMESTAY
Kalpabriksha Homestay is another accommodation at Mungpoo which is also run by a local family of that region. Kalpabriksha Homestay is also located within the serenity of the mountains and valleys of Mungpoo. The cinchona plantations areas are also located within close proximity to Kalpabriksha Homestay. The name Kalpabriksha is derived from the name of a tree at Shantiniketan as Mungpoo is highly revered for the visit of Rabindranath Tagore. The staffs at Kalpabriksha Homestay are very co-operative and helpful towards guests. Meals served at Kalpabriksha Homestay are also organic and home cooked.
Amenities available:
Well furnished rooms with attached bathrooms.
24 hours running water.
Pick up and drop facility available.
Arrangement of local sightseeing.
Travel guides available.
Tariff:
INR @ 1400/- per day per person.
Above tariff includes both food and lodging.
Meals includes: Morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea, snacks and dinner.
HOW TO BOOK: Call 9831311606 , 9830381306 and get the current rooms availability status or use the query form below.
Or visit us at 8C Shanti Ghosh Street, Kolkata – 700003, near Manindra Chandra College. Or drop your query by Whats app in the above numbers.
