Diary of North Bengal 6/ On the banks of Murti

Was having a chat with Sunita, a Nepali woman who runs a small shop on the roadside. Tea-coffee-chowmein-momos are available in the shop. She stays in nearby Chalsha with her mother-in-law and little daughter. Her husband works in Jalpaiguri. Sunita opens her shop everyday at 11am. Tourists throng into her shop in the evening. At around 8pm, she closes down the shop and heads home. 

We are into the tour of North Bengal since the last five days, but didn’t get any scope to take rest in the afternoon. Either we had to head to book the forest safari tickets right after checking in the hotel, or checked in the hotels at the evening. 

Is there a place where we can spend the whole day taking abundant rest? 

Just as we were searching the ideal place to take rest, Google gave us the information about Murti. Murti is somewhat a lesser known place as compared to Buxa-Jayanti, Jaldapara and Garumara. It’s not so popular among the tourists as we easily got the accommodation booked in the West Bengal Tourism run Murti Tourist Resort. 

Situated at a distance of just 17 kms from Lataguri, we reached Murti, just before lunch time. On progressing towards Chalsha from Lataguri, one has to take the road on the right hand side from Batabari more. After moving four kilometers or so, comes Murti.

It is to be clarified first that Murti is not a name of any place, but a river. Like the other rivers of North Bengal which comes gushing down from the mountains, Murti is such a river. A few hotels and resorts have come up on the bank of the river. The place is called Dhupjhora. 

Apart from West Bengal Tourism run resort, there is another government accommodation named ‘Banani’ which is run by the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation. The view of Murti River can be enjoyed from the rooms of ‘Banani’. Though river view is unavailable in the Tourist Resort, its area is much bigger than that of ‘Banani.’

We had a nice one-hour nap after taking the lunch. In the evening we took a stroll towards the Murti River. Mersmerised by the beauty of the River, we got down to the river bed. Just a few days ago we enjoyed Jayanti River. But for me Murti was far more attractive. The river is gushing down from the mountains, taking lot of stones with it. There is not much of water in the river. Taking the advantage of the situation, lots of people are actually moving to the middle of the river. I didn’t have such plans though. I’m a peace loving person. For me the ambience is much more enjoyable and attractive.  

Suddenly, it was dark all around. Actually we were so amazed by the beauty of the place that we didn’t realize it was almost 6 in the evening. After enjoying a plate of hot momos in Sunita’s shop, we came back to our resort. A security guard in the resort told us that we can get a clear view of Kanchenjungha, the next day, provided the sky remains clear. 

Yes, the bright and clear Kanchejungha was indeed seen by us the next day. I came out of the resort gate in the morning with the ambition of taking a morning walk. Just then I sighted the Kanchenjungha. Just the last day we saw Kanchenjungha from Jalpesh Temple. However, today it was much clearer. It was bound to be so, as we are much closer to the Himalayas. 

 Read More Diary of North Bengal 5/ Kanchenjunga from Jalpesh

“Where are you?”

Enquired my worried father on the other side of the mobile. Actually I didn’t realize that with Kanchenjungha in front and Murti River in my right hand side, I had walked for almost an hour now. I turned back and hurriedly rushed towards the resort. We have to leave Murti and move to the next destination now. 

How to reach?

Avail Sealdah-New Alipurduar Kanchankanya Express. Get down at New Mal Jn. Murti is situated at a distance of just 17 kms from New Mal. The distance between NJP and Murti is 65 kms. Distance between Bagdogra Airport and Murti is 80 kms. 

Where to stay?

The best property is Murti is the Tourist Resort run by West Bengal Tourism. You can log in the website of WBTDC, (www.wbtdcl.com) to book the property online. You can stay at Banani resort also run by West Bengal Forest Development Corporation. To book the property online, log in to www.wbfdc.net. There are a few private hotels and resort as well in the area.