Those who are gypsy by heart they just love to wonder almost in any time in any month of the calendar. And if the call is from a place that is surrounded by the magnum opus beauty of the nature then it’s worth it and to visit that magnificent amalgamation of river-hills-woods one has to visit the unknown unseen untravelled lonely beauty of North Bengal that is Srikhola.
Srikhola, under the jurisdiction of Darjeeling district, is bliss of nature in its own way. The place seems like a painted picture at the foot of Singalila National Park. The place Srikhola gets its name from the mountain-river Srikhola itself. Natural green carpet made of Oak, Chestnut, Pine etc welcome you in its own small village. To welcome each change of season Srikhola decorates itself differently and each looks just outrun each other magnificently. April May is the season of colour in the hills. Whenever you stretch your eyes, you can only sense the beauty of nature’s colour amidst nature’s lap with different colours of Rhododendron, Pituniya, Orchids, Daisy, Magnolia and Roses and throughout the year you will definitely witness this magical flowery beauty though in a lesser quantity. As the place is near the NationalPark you can also see Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bear, Rocking Deer in the Woods. If you are a bird-watcher you will surely enjoy the place between enormous numbers of birds with their own specifications. The serenity of the place mixes with the natural cacophony of these nature’s creatures - it gives a magical pure sense to the angst soul of the city life. Cultivation is one of the important ways of living to the locals. They cultivate cardamom, pea’s corn in their own lands.
And The Mountain River Srikhola is flowing through this magical bed of Hills & Woods. In winter she (the river) is calm and composed. She has no time to be self-occupied. On the other hand you will get time to meet her serenity in this season. But in Monsoon She becomes Crazy with all her buoyancy. She expresses her spirit through each passing stones of the river-bed like a teenage girl. You yourself will be so engrossed in this scenario that you will also feel like dancing in the Tune of hers. If someone likes fishing he or she can easily do some fishing in the river and hopefully may get some Trout as a gift from River Srikhola or else one just can Enjoy his or hers loved one's company in the midst of cooling river water.
Not far from that place, you will get to see Her another friend Devikhola. The word Khola means River. The confluence of these two rivers - Sri and Devi in 90° angle gives the place an extra bonus. Emaciated yet Speedy River Devikhola because of its deep slops jumps into the river Srikhola to embrace Her. Whether it is a moon-blanched night or a Day of New Moon, the enormous sound of this two friends will surely gives you thrilling experience whenever you heard them amidst the calmness.
If you are staying on a Full Moon Night then it gonna be a Lifetime Experience. Whenever you take the glimpse of the Full Moon between the Oak Pine Chestnut's branches it will be an ethereal experience that will gonna stay with you forever. The crystalline effect of the moon-rays on the black water of the river, its flowing sound and hooting of the night-birds make the whole atmosphere celestial and an immense sense of peace will engulf the whole body and mind in its own spell. Now you feel become One with the very part of this serenity.
You can stroll in the small paths of the village by crossing the hanging wooden bridge to fill up your own Thrust of Exploration. You can also visit Local Monastery and Temple to have some more aesthetic peace. From here you can also Visit Lamagaon, Rimbik, Palmajua, Dhotrey, Khopidara.
From NJP/Siliguri and also from Darjeeling by reserving cars you can reach Srikhola. Otherway, from Siliguri/Darjeeling More there is availablity of Share Cars Upto Rimbik and from there Srikhola is just 15-20 minutes path. Share Cars can give you lift Up to Srikhola if you agree to pay a little more.
Resting places are limited here. You will see Trekkers Hat and others two three home stays after crossing Wooden Bridge. One important information- if you wish to stay here, you will have to get down of your cars as the bridge is not for this type of vehicles.
There are few newly set up homestays on the way from Rimbik to Srikhola and from these hanging varandas you can enjoy the river as well. If you wish to enjoy more calmness and Sri and Devi together then it is better to stay on the home stays after crossing the Wooden Bridge. Over Devi-Khola you will see another Bridge, but it is made of concrete. Previously this bridge like the other one was also made of wood but continuous flow-tide ruined it every time so now the modern one is of concrete.
If you love Serenity and Cacophony of River then there is no other alternative than Srikhola.