Credit: Zuha
Uttarkashi, on the western part of the Garhwal Himalayas, has a number of hill stations; Mori is one of them. Located on the banks of the Tons River, the largest tributary of the Yamuna is situated at a height of 1150 meters above sea level.
According to legend, river tons were born from the tears of the demon Suparnakaha. Mori is also famous for its thick pine forests, which are believed to be the tallest in Asia.
History of Mori
Mori is rich in cultural heritage, with ancient temples. It lies in the Jaunsar Bawar region, acting as a gateway to the Tons Valley. Mori is culturally diverse because it lies on the border of Uttarakhand and Himachal. People from Tons Valley claimed themselves as descendants of Pandavas and Kauravas(heroes of the epic Mahabharata). A temple dedicated to Duryodhana is beautifully crafted from wood. An ancient temple dedicated to Karna (an epic from the Mahabharata) is situated on the banks of the Ton River in Nerwar, which is 11km from Mori.
Things to see and do in Mori
The Tons River is a famous site for river rafting. Many adventure rafting camps are organized by tour operators. Rock climbing and kayaking are other adventure activities that are available.
Trekking
Mori lies in the middle of Purola and Uttarkashi. Several trekking routes, like the Rupin Pass, that connect Himachal Pradesh to Uttarakhand are organized from the base camp of Mori. It’s also a gateway to the famous Harkidun and Kedarkantha treks.
Bird watching
In the nearby Govind National Park and Singtoor Ranges, many rare species of birds can be watched during sunrise and sunset.
Fishing
Permission for fishing can be obtained from the DFO office at Purola; there are plenty of trouts to catch.
How to reach Mori
By Road:
Mori is well connected by road to major cities in Uttarakhand and other neighboring states. You can take a bus or hire a taxi from Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, or Delhi to reach Mori. The distance between Dehradun and Mori is approximately 152 km and takes around 6-7 hours by road.
By Train:
The nearest railway station to Mori is Dehradun Railway Station, which is approximately 152 km away. You can take a train from Delhi or other major cities to reach Dehradun, and then take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Mori.
By Air:
The nearest airport to Mori is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is approximately 170 km away. You can take a flight from Delhi or other major cities to reach Dehradun and then take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Mori.