Murti

मूर्ति

A stony river between two forests

Altitude150m Nights2 BestNov – Mar

Photo: Joydeep · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

In brief

Murti is a small settlement where the Murti river leaves the hills and runs between Gorumara and Chapramari. Its wide, stony bed, the forest corporation's riverside cottages and the forest elephants at Dhupjhora make it the quietest base for both parks.

The local story

A river that starts in the red panda forest

The Murti begins high in the Neora Valley, in forest where red pandas live, and drops through Samsing and the tea slopes to reach the plains here. Within a few kilometres it changes from a mountain stream to a broad river of boulders and shingle that braids across the forest edge before joining the Jaldhaka.

The settlement grew around the bridge, the forest beat offices and, from the late 20th century, the forest corporation's riverside cottages, known to generations of Bengali families as Banani. Nearby Dhupjhora became home to the forest department's working elephants, the kunkis used for patrols in Gorumara. Many people in Murti work for the forest, in the tea gardens or in tourism, and some families cut grass and gather fuel under the forest department's joint management schemes.

In early October 2025 the Murti, like the Jaldhaka, rose suddenly after extreme rain in the hills and swept through the forest below, a reminder that its quiet winter bed belongs to a mountain river.

The Murti rises in Neora Valley National Park, a red panda forest established in 1986, and runs down past Samsing's tea slopes to the plains at Murti, at about 150 m.

The forest department's kunki elephants at Dhupjhora are working animals used for patrols and rescue; in October 2025 kunkis ferried stranded tourists across floodwater in Jaldapara.

Murti lies on the boundary between Gorumara National Park to the south and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary to the north, so both are within 15 minutes.

About Murti

Murti is the place we send people who want a forest holiday without the highway resorts. The river is the centre of everything: in the morning people walk down to the stony bank with tea, in the afternoon children paddle at the edges, and in the evening everyone watches the light go orange across the water while peafowl call from the forest.

It is also well placed. Gorumara's counters at Lataguri are about 15 km away, Chapramari is closer still, and Samsing and Suntalekhola are an hour uphill. Spend two nights here, take one watchtower slot in each park, watch the elephants bathe at Dhupjhora and keep an afternoon for doing very little on the riverbank.

What to see and do

Evenings on the Murti riverbed

The wide stony bed is where Murti lives in winter. Walk down an hour before sunset, sit on a boulder and watch birds over the water and the forest edge turn gold.

Dhupjhora's elephants

The forest department's kunki elephants are bathed in the river most mornings. Watch from a safe distance as mahouts scrub them down, a quiet and joyful scene.

Two parks, one base

Gorumara and Chapramari are each 15–30 minutes away, which lets you take a morning slot in one and an afternoon slot in the other without a long drive.

River birds at dawn

Wagtails, river lapwings, plovers, kingfishers and in winter ruddy shelduck work the channels. Walk the bank at first light with binoculars.

Up to Samsing for the day

The Murti leads uphill to the tea garden village of Samsing and the Suntalekhola stream, an hour away. A good half-day when parks are closed or slots are full.

How to get there

Reserved car: From NJP or Bagdogra about 80–90 km, two and a half hours via Malbazar, ₹3,000–3,800. Most drivers know the Banani and Dhupjhora turnings.
Bus and local car: Bus from Siliguri to Malbazar or Chalsa, ₹100–150, then a local car or auto to Murti, ₹500–800. Slow but cheap.
Train: Chalsa and New Mal Junction stations on the Dooars line are each about 15–20 km away. Check the timetable and arrange a pickup in advance.

Where to stay

The forest corporation's Murti Banani Eco-Tourism Centre at Uttar Dhupjhora is the classic stay, with cottages in several grades and tents near the river. The corporation also runs small camps at Murti and at Dhupjhora, the latter with tree-house style cottages beside the elephant camp. A handful of private resorts line the roads around Murti, from about ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 a room. Book weekends early; Murti is a favourite of Bengal families.

forest bungalowMurti Murti Banani Eco-Tourism Centre (WBFDC) ₹1,800–4,000 a room, tent from about ₹1,500 (indicative, WBFDC tariff)

Local tips

Leave the riverbed at once if the water turns brown or starts to rise; rain in the hills reaches Murti before the sky changes.
Do not walk along the forest edge or riverbanks after dusk; elephants and gaur use them.
Order meals at forest corporation camps in advance, since kitchens cook to numbers.
Carry cash and snacks; Murti has only a few stalls and no reliable ATM.
The parks close from about 16 June to 15 September; check current status before you travel.

02,7005,400

Altitude150 m

Low and warm: humid in summer, mild in winter.

What it costs here

Forest corporation cottage at Murti₹1,800–4,000 a room (indicative)

Forest corporation tentAbout ₹1,500

Meals at a corporation campAbout ₹500 pp a day

Private resort near Murti₹3,000–6,000 a room

Car to the Lataguri safari counter₹600–1,000

Tea and snacks at the bridge₹30–80

Indicative, 2025–26. Check current status before you travel.

Best months: Nov – Mar
Nights we suggest: 2
From Siliguri: ≈ 80 km · 2.5 h
Altitude: ≈ 150 m
Known for: Murti river, Banani cottages, Dhupjhora elephants
Network: Jio/Airtel patchy

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

BestGoodAvoid or closed

Things to do

Four things to do in Murti

Viewpoints · 1.5 hoursSunset on the Murti riverbedMurti · Free

Wildlife and birds · 1 hourThe morning elephant bath at DhupjhoraMurti · Free to watch; rides only when offered

Wildlife and birds · 2 hoursRiver birding along the Murti at dawnMurti · Free; local guide ₹500–800

Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursA local dinner and folk dance eveningMurti · Dance programme about ₹275 at some camp…

On the map

Murti and its neighbours

Drawn by Darjeeling Himalayas from Natural Earth outlines (public domain). Borders as depicted by India. Not for navigation.

Trips that stop here

Go to Murti on a ticket

Comfort Dooars4 nights · Reserved car Murti and Jaldapara with the family, by car Murti · Jaldapara National Park ₹26,000per person
about ₹5,200 a day

Value Dooars3 nights · Mixed Three nights by the Murti river Murti ₹13,000per person
about ₹3,250 a day

Comfort Dooars5 nights · Reserved car Dooars river valleys for birders, by car Murti · Suntalekhola · Jhalong ₹26,000per person
about ₹4,350 a day

Comfort Dooars9 nights · Reserved car Nine slow nights from Samsing to Jayanti Samsing · Murti · Jaldapara National Park · Chilapata ₹51,000per person
about ₹5,100 a day

Close by

Nearby places

national park150 m Gorumara National Park A small rhino park seen from watchtowers, not jeeps

national park150 m Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary Gaur herds at a forest waterhole

forest village100 m Lataguri The highway village at Gorumara's gate

tea garden900 m Samsing Tea slopes where the Dooars meet Neora Valley

Ways to travel

Wildlife and birds Family trips Honeymoons on a budget Photography

Questions people ask

Questions about Murti

Where is Murti in the Dooars?

Murti lies on the Murti river between Gorumara National Park and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary in Jalpaiguri district, about 80 km east of Siliguri. Lataguri, where Gorumara's safari counters are, is about 15 km away; Chalsa is a similar distance north.

Is Murti better than Lataguri?

For quiet, yes: the river, fewer resorts and no highway at the door. For convenience, Lataguri is better, with the counters, shops and more transport. Many people prefer Murti and drive 20 minutes to the counters for their slots.

How do I book Murti Banani?

Through the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation's website. Room grades run from standard to premium, plus tents, at roughly ₹1,500–4,000 in the current tariff. Meals are usually extra. Book weekends and the Puja and winter holidays well ahead.

Can we swim in the Murti river?

We do not recommend swimming. The river can rise fast after rain in the hills even when Murti is dry, and the main channels have strong currents. Paddling at the edges in winter is fine with care and supervision of children.

What is there to do in Murti?

Watchtower safaris in Gorumara and Chapramari, the elephant bath at Dhupjhora, dawn birding and sunset on the riverbed, a local dance evening at some camps and a half-day up to Samsing and Suntalekhola. It is a place for slow days.

How far is Murti from Samsing?

About 20–25 km, roughly 45 minutes to an hour by car via Chalsa and Metali, climbing to around 900 m. Many visitors do Samsing as a day trip from Murti, or spend a night there and a night by the river.

Is Murti safe at night?

Inside your lodge compound, yes. Outside, wild elephants and gaur move along the river and forest edges after dark, and the roads are unlit. Stay in after dusk, use a torch in the compound and follow staff instructions.

Is there mobile network in Murti?

Coverage is patchy and varies by network, with better signal near the main road and bridge. Jio and Airtel generally work in places; data can be slow. Download maps and booking confirmations before you arrive.

Did the October 2025 floods affect Murti?

Yes. Extreme rain in early October 2025 raised the Murti and the Jaldhaka through the forest below, with damage to roads and forest areas around Gorumara. Lodges and parks reopened after repairs at different times; check current status before you travel.