Murti in Dooars | An Enchanting Weekend Destination in North Bengal

It was an early November morning. The Murti River was mostly dry except a narrow stream at the mid part. Largely, the river bed was exposed without any water, covered with rocks, pebbles and gravel. That’s how these small rivers, originating from the lower reaches of Bhutan hills, look like in winter. Apart from the monsoon, the water level downstream is usually below the knee height in most of the times.

It was our last day in Murti, in fact, it was the last day of our first Dooars trip. We came to Murti 2 days back from Lataguri.

When my phone alarm rang at 4:30 in the morning, I was dead tired after yesterday’s half-day sightseeing trip to Samsing – Jhalong – Bindu followed by the Diwali celebration in the evening. But I did not stop the alarm, rather snooze it for another 10 minutes. And after snoozing it for 2-3 times more maybe, I finally got out of the bed.

After getting freshened up, I came out of our cottage with my camera. The dawn just broke in Murti. The exact time of sunrise which I checked yesterday, was yet after another hour. After calling for a few times, I could finally manage to wake up the security guard at the entry gate and made the gate open. The road in front of the resort was empty, and the hazy outline of distant Bhutan hills could be seen on the horizon.

Waking up to an unsullied view like this is always a dream for any city dweller. So, I just stood quite in the middle of that riverside road for a moment, appreciating the pristine beauty of Murti. Then started walking towards the Murti River Bridge. I walked past the WBFDC resort gate, which was locked from inside. The coconut-water seller whom I noticed to stand beside this gate yesterday with his cycle was nowhere now. The tea-stall on the left at the start of the bridge was also closed.

When I finally reached the bridge, the sky on the east side started to change its colour from blue to orange. The Chapramari forest on the other side of the river was yet covered in a dark veil. Standing on the middle of the bridge, all I could hear was the gargling sound of the Murti River and the occasional screams of the peacocks which seemed not very far from me.

After standing for another 10 minutes over the bridge, I could see a man probably from a nearby village crossing the stream when the visibility slightly increased. I decided to go down to the river too. By the time I got down, I was the only one standing in the middle of the Murti river bed with two peacocks wandering on the other side of the river near the forest.

While standing on the cold and crystal clear water of the Murti river, I was thinking in my mind whether I would be lucky enough to see any animals coming out of the forest. Still, on the second thought, I was apprehending what would happen if the animal would be an elephant. I was a little afraid, no doubt, but at the same time, I was completely engulfed by the serenity of the blissful surroundings.

Eventually, I heard the sound of chitchat coming from the bridge. Tourists started to gather over the Murti River Bridge. Some were walking leisurely across the bridge while others were busy taking selfies and family photos. And there was the first car which I noticed since I came here, just crossed the bridge going towards Khunia Crossing.

Ah! My exclusive morning with the enchanting Murti river ended at last.

I collected a few pebbles from the river bed and came up to the bridge. The first rays of the sun just penetrated through the thick layer of Chapramari forest. I walked slowly along the entire stretch of the bridge twice, breathing deep and slow, embracing myself against the cool breeze of November morning.

The tea stall over the push-cart that was closed when I came here, now opened half of its front door. Some tourists already gathered in front of it, waiting for the first kettle of tea to get prepared. I was not in a mood for a cup of tea at that moment, so I walked past the tea shop and headed towards WBTDC Tourist Lodge.

Before turning at the corner, I looked towards the Murti River Bridge for one last time. The Murti River Bridge seemed like flooded with the soft golden sunshine by then.

About Murti – The Offbeat Destnation in Dooars

Murti is an offbeat tourist destination in Dooars in West Bengal. It is situated beside the Murti River, from where the place gets its name. Murti River is a monsoon fed river that originates somewhere from the lower green hills of Bhutan. Then it flows through Neora Valley and Gorumara National Park and eventually meets Jaldhaka river after traversing a distance of 80 km.

WBFDC (West Bengal Forest Development Corporation) was the first to build a resort here, right at the bank of Murti river when there was no other accommodation nearby apart from the Gorumara Forest Bungalow. So, this resort by WBFDC became popular as Murti resort and the place gets popularised as Murti.

The village near which the resort is situated is called Uttar Dhupjhora (Dhupjhora North) which comes under the Batabari post office and Matiali block.

Murti is situated at the perimeter of Gorumara National Park and the opposite of Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary which is basically an extension of Gorumara National Park. That means if you walk south along the river bed, on your right, there will be Gorumara National Park and on your left, it will be Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary.

In the morning, the Bhutan hills are usually visible at the north. On the south of Murti, there is Dhupjhora Elephant Camp which also has six cottages and a treehouse for tourists to stay. This is also a WBFDC property.

Gorumara Nature Interpretation Centre is 18 km from Murti and Chalsa is 8 km from Murti.

Places to visit in Murti

Murti has two adjacent sanctuaries forming a boundary with this place. One is Gorumara National Park, and the other is Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. You can go for a jeep safari in both the jungles from Murti and visit all the watchtowers (Jatraprasad, Khunia, Chukchuki and Medhla).

It would be best if you visit Chapramari forest in the last shift. Because after the safari, the jeep will take you to Panjhora Wilderness Camp instead of coming back to your hotel. An evening cultural programme with evening snacks is organised inside the Panjhora Wilderness Camp to entertain the guests.

But do you know what is the best part of this detour? It’s the view of Murti river from the camp. You can see the vast stretch of Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary with the meandering course of Murti river in the middle while the sun sets behind the forest.

Nearby Attractions from Murti

On a day trip from Murti, you can cover many other popular tourist places in Dooars. You can also stay in a beautiful cottage in Suntalekhola or Jhalong to experience riverside camping. The distance of the places that usually tourists visit while in Murti are –

• Chalsa – 8 km
• Samsing – 25 km
• Suntalekhola – 29 km
• Rocky Island – 27 km
• Jhalong- 32 km
• Bindu – 40 km

Things to do in Murti

Jeep Safari

Jungle safari in Gorumara and Chapramari can be done from Murti. Your hotel manager can arrange the booking easily if you are staying in WBFDC Banani resort or WBTDC Tourist lodge. The safari Gypsies usually pick the guests from both these resorts. You should be ready at least half an hour before the scheduled entry time of the morning or evening shifts.

Bird Watching

Gorumara and Chapramari forests are very popular among bird watchers. Chukchuki watch-tower in Gorumara is the best place for bird watching. You should visit Murti between November to March to get the best opportunities for bird photography.

Angling

Murti river is a favourite place for fishing among locals. If you are interested in angling, there is no better place other than Murti to spend your weekend beside Gorumara Forest.

How to reach Murti

Road

Murti is 80 km from Siliguri, the largest city in North Bengal. There are plenty of NBSTC (North Bengal State Transport Corporation) and private buses that run from Siliguri to Chalsa. From Chalsa, Murti is another 8 km. You can hire a cab from Chalsa to reach Murti. Lataguri is another 18 km from Murti.

Rail

The major railhead near Murti is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) which is connected to all other major cities in India. NJP is 84 km from Murti. There are a few trains towards New Alipurduar and Guwahati that run through NJP-Hasimara-APDJ line but did not stop at Chalsa which is the nearest station of Murti. Some of them stop at New Mal Junction (NMZ) from where Murti is around 18 km. If you are travelling by 13149 Kanhankanya Express from Sealdah then you should get down at New Mal Junction.

Air

Bagdogra (IXB) is the nearest airport of Murti, at a distance of 84 km. Flights well connect Bagdogra to Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Guwahati.

Where to stay in Murti

WBFDC Resort in Murti – “Banani”

Located right at the Murti river bank, “Banani” – the WBFDC resort is the best place to stay in Murti. In fact, this property is one of the best WBFDC property in the entire state. The resort has a two-storied bungalow with multiple cottages scattered inside the campus. All the rooms are spacious, comfortable and equipped with modern facilities. There are a manicured garden and an amusement park for children. The food is essentially authentic Bengali cuisines which are delicious to taste.

If you get a booking here, which is the hardest part, you don’t have to visit Gorumara Nature Interpretation Centre for jungle safari booking. The guests here get the priority in all safaris in Gorumara and Chapramari forest. Just inform your resort staff about the shift when you want to go for a safari, and your job will be done.

Murti Tourist Lodge by WBTDC

If you don’t get a booking in WBFDC resort, then the next place to stay in Murti is the Murti Tourist Lodge run by WBTDC. All the rooms are in a cottage style with basic amenities. There is plenty of open spaces inside with amusement options for children. I stayed in this resort and was very happy with their service. The food was also delicious.

This resort is in a beautiful location too. Though you can not see the river from the cottages inside, once you are at the entry gate, the river is just on the other side of the road. This resort is within 50 meters of the WBFDC resort. The guests of this resort get the next priority in the jungle safari booking.

Best time to visit Murti

You can visit Murti throughout the year but the best time would be from November to March. Both Gorumara and Chapramari forests get closed during monsoon (mid-June to mid-September).

Yet, if you are an ardent monsoon lover, you must visit Murti at least once during the rainy season to feel the soul of the Dooars region. The dense green forest, the gushing sound of the raging river, the foggy distant blue hills and the dark monsoon cloud with intermittent heavy rain will surely make you lost in the beauty of Murti.

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