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Illam - Tea Garden of Nepal
By arrna Published: 09/11/2010
Illam is a tea-producing town of Nepal. It lies in Illam District, eastern hilly districts of Nepal,and is famous for its natural scenery and green landscape.
Illam is a small hilly town with pristine landscape of sloped tea gardens, thick natural forests, holy sites and unique culture. It offers an excellent getaway from city life for romantic sunrise and sunset, a brisk walk in the tea garden, tranquil picnic and sightseeing spots, short treks along gentle slopes or a trudge into the nearby woods. If spiritual instinct calls there are several holy sites one can visit in and around the area. Thus, Illam is a much sought after tourist destination for travelers of all kinds. It is also famous all over the world for its special brand of Illam Tea.
Access: Illam Bazaar is in Illam district, Mechi Zone. It is approximately 700 kilometers and 18 hour-drive to east of Kathmandu. Daily bus services ply for Illam from central Bus Station, Gongabu, in Kathmandu. Buses are also available from the major cities. There are flights from Kathmandu to Biratnagar and Bhadrapur from where Illam can be driven to via Birtamod.
The famous Darjeeling city of India is just 2-hours drive from Pashupatinagar on the Nepal-India border of Ilam district. Nepalis and Indians can commute by the land to India from Pashupatinagar in Illam. However, this entry/exit point is for local use and Indian tourists only. Entry and exit from the eastern point for other travelers is allowed from Kakkarbhitta in Jhapa.
Food and Accommodation: Good to moderate facilities are available for food and accommodation in Illam Bazaar. Besides home-stay facilities are also available in selected areas; telephone, medical and other tourist facilities are also available in Illam Bazaar.
When to visit:The subtropical climate of Illam ensures good weather throughout the year. The best time to visit Illam is between October-December, or from April-February. People from different parts of Nepal visit Maipokhari for an annual festival on Kartik Ekadasi which falls in October or November. Thousands visit Mai Beni during Maghe Sankranti which falls in January.
Predominant Culture:The main groups residing in Illam are Kiratis, Brahimins, Chhetris, and Lepchas. A Lepchas is at initial stage at Antu and is in the process of being extended.
Places to Visit:
Antu Danda offers spectacular sunrise, sunset and views of the Himalayas. From 2,328 meters, Antu overlooks Terai flatlands, terraced hills of cash crops, tea gardens and thick forests of pine trees. On a clear day one can see views as far as Mirik, Kurseong and Darjeeling in the adjoining Indian part. Antu Danda is an hour drive from Pashupatinagar and about 3-hours drive from Illam Bazaar. Home-stay facilities are available at Antu Danda area.
Mai Pokhari is a pristine lake amid natural forest. The pond surrounded by the thick forest of fir, juniper, birch and pine is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Various species of orchids, rhododendron, herbs; rare animals like musk deer, leopard, porcupine, jackal; numerous migratory birds and rare insects, are found in the region. The lake is also considered holy as the abode of Goddess Bhagabati. An annual fair is held here every autumn around the month of October or November. Mai Pokhari is about 18 kilometers from Illam Bazaar which is about 30-minute drive.
Sandakpur at 3,636 meters on the international Nepal-India borderline provides majestic view of the Himalayas, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Kumbhakarna, Mt. Makalu, and Mt Everest. Rare wildlife like red panda, musk deer, and wild bird Danphe (Lopophorous) can be seen in the forest of this area. From Illam Bazaar one can go up to Maimajhua Khorsanitar via Mai Pokhari in a vehicle. From here one has to trek for about 5 hours to reach sandakpur.
Kanyam and Fikkal have large estates for which Ilam has been famous for the last 140 years. These tea plantation areas are popular among tourists for picnicking, sightseeing, and taking photographs. Fikkal is a business center in the area. It falls on the Mechi highway on the way to Illam.
Siddhi Thumka offers good views of sunrise and sunset from its elevation of 1800 meters. One can also see the Terai flatlands, the Mahabharat range and the Churia mountain range from this area. Siddhi Thumka is 3 hour trek away from Illam Bazaar.
Chhintapu at 3,400 meters is the second highest peak in Illam district. The area has natural rich forests of rhododendron, herbal plants and various species of birds. About 11 varieties of rhododendron are found in the area. In addition are rare herb Yarcha Gumba, and wild animals like musk deer and the rare red panda. Good views of the mountains can be seen from different points of the trek. The peak can be reached by trekking for three hours from Illam Bazaar.
Pilgrimage Sites are numerous in and around Illam. The popular ones are:
Gajur Mukhi a stone tunnel with carved images of Hindu deities. It is on the bank of Deumai Khola, west of Ilam Bazaar. Gajur Mukhi is 4-hour drive from Illam Bazaar.
Pathibhara is in Illam is believed to be as the younger sister of Pathibhara Devi in Taplejung. The temple is in Hanspokhari, southeast of Kolbung VDC and is on the way to Illam on Mechi Highway.
Mai Beni house the temple of Lord Shiva at the confluence of rives Mai Khola and Jogma Khola. It is located about 3 kilometers away from Illam Bazaar. Thousands of devotees gather here on the day of Maghe Sankranti in January.
Besides these are: Narayansthan in Illam Bazaar, where a special festival takes place on Krishna Asthami; Bhimsensthan near Ilam Chowk; Singha Bahini in South Ilam, with a beautiful garden in the temple complex; Sati Devi Temple, on Puwa Khola west of Ilam Bazaar, which is a cultural, religious and magnificent site for domestic as well as other tourists.Nepali woman plucking tea leaves in Illam.
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