If anybody wants to spend two days in the lap of nature where there will not be any hustle bustle, Bara Mangwa is an ideal place. It is located within 7 kms from Teesta Bazar. It is a green village with step cultivation all around. One can see the unique cultivation practices and varied range of crops planted by the farmers of villages. There are number of trails around the place that approaches towards Lower Bara Mangwa, Upper Bara Mangwa, Takling and Soreng Villages where hikers get to experience the rich and diverse vegetation of the region. Such a magical landscape can also be a photographers delight.
As Bara Mangwa is not so popular for the tourist, the virginity of the nature is not yet destroyed. On a clear day, if you are lucky enough, can see the peak of Kanchenjunga from the room of your home stays.
Bara Mangwa is famous for Orange orchard. During orange season, the place becomes heaven for the orange lovers. The trees full of orange will surely lure you. Moreover, one can pick the oranges of their choice at moderate price from their orchard.
How to reach:
Bara Mangwa is 62 K.M. from New Jalpaiguri Jn. It will take around 2.5 hr to reach there from NJP railway station if you reserve a car. If you want to come Bara Mangwa by share transport, first you have to take a share car for Teesta Bazar. And from teesta bazar you have to hire another car to reach Bara Mangwa. Driver will charge Rs 2000 (rate @January, 2018) if you reserve a small car upto Bara Mangwa. You will get both share and full reserve car outside the NJP railway station. But you have to bargain with them.
The nearest airport to Bara Mangwa is Bagdogra. From Bagdogra, it is approximately 65 KM and it will take around 2hr 45 minutes to reach Bara Mangwa.
Places to visit:
As I have already mentioned, this a green village with step cultivation all round. So, trailing around this greenish village will sooth your eyes.
Within 2 km you will found various fruit processing unit and their attached garden. One of them is Nirmal fruit agency. You can visit the garden there. During orange season, the orchards will surely mesmerize you. The essence of freshness which you will get in these organic gardens, could not be found anywhere else. So, I will suggest the day you reach Bara Mangwa, just trail around the place and visit various gardens. You can go upto Takling and Soreng village.
Next day, you can go for a full day sightseeing from Bara Mangwa. On that day, you can keep Takdah, Peshok, Tinchuley, Lamahatta, Chota Mangwa in your wish list. In takdah, you can visit Takdah orchid center which is one of the famous in Asia. Also you can visit Runglee Rongliot tea garden. In Takdah, the beautiful landscapes and various colours of orchid will lure your eyes. The road condition towards Chota Mangwa is pathetic. So, if you are going with aged person, please think twice. But the view of Kanchenjunga from Chota Mangwa is awesome.
Best season to go Bara Mangwa:
You can visit Bara Mangwa any time of the year. And if you want to see the oranges hanging from the tree and want to pluck it with prior permission from the owner, Late October to Early December is the best time. Monsoon time is considered off season.
Accommodation:
Bara Mangwa Farmhouse and Darjeeling blossom eco tourism is the famous name in Bara Mangwa. The location of both the resort is awesome. Darjeeling blossom ecotourism has their own resort in Chota Mangwa also.
We had stayed in Darjeeling Blossom Eco-Tourism resort during our Bara Mangwa visit. The location of the resort is beautiful. The service provided by the Resort Owner and his family is awesome. You will surely enjoy your stay. Darjeeling Blossom's have 4 cottage type rooms in their Bara Mangwa Resort. The rate varies from Rs. 1800-2500 (As per January, 2018). This price is only for the room. They also have meal option. For this, they charge Rs. 600 per person (as per January, 2018) which includes morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening snacks with tea and dinner. There is a swimming pool in the resort whose location is wonderful.
Some home stays are also available here.
Darjeeling Blossom Eco-tourism - Bara Mangwa - 9635925321
Bara Mangwa Farm House - 9434872520, 9474837676
Contact No. of Driver - Mr. Kanchan Das - 7679209845
You can visit www.tourplannerblog.com for more details.