Umiam Lake Travel Story: A Soldier's Ride to Meghalaya
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UMIAM LAKE
The Serene Magic of Umiam lake
After treating myself to that wonderful local fish and rice with an authentic earthy taste in Nongpoh town, both my stomach and mind were full, and the exhaustion of the long journey vanished. My 'Dhannu' (Royal Enfield Classic 350) and I set off again, tearing through the highway toward my main destination, Shillong. At that moment, I had no idea what a spectacular surprise awaited me ahead. As we climbed higher along the winding mountain roads, the crisp chill in the air seemed to wash away every bit of exhaustion from my body in an instant. Just then, as we rounded a bend in the mountain, an endless expanse of blue water suddenly unfolded before my eyes—welcome to everyone’s fa
The Lake of Tears: A Deep Psychological Emotion and Mythological Folklore
When I first looked down at Umiam Lake from the mountain peak, my hand on the bike's accelerator naturally eased up. I parked my Dhannu to one side, took off my helmet, and drew a deep breath. It was a vast, calm, and tranquil ocean of blue water right in the middle of small and large hills, all enveloped by dense green pine forests
However, hidden beneath the calm and beautiful face of this Umiam Lake lies a profound psychological emotion and historical narrative. In the Khasi language, 'Um' translates to water, and 'iam' means crying or tears. Therefore, the literal meaning of 'Umiam' is “The Lake of Tears” (Water of Tears).
A deeply touching local folklore is associated with this naming. According to Khasi mythology, in ancient times, two sisters decided to come down to Earth from heaven to visit this beautiful mountainous region. However, on their descent from the sky, they became separated from each other, and the younger sister was lost. When the elder sister reached Meghalaya and realized that her sister was either dead or lost forever, she broke down in profound grief. The tears flowing endlessly from her eyes streamed down the mountainside, and it was from those tears that today's Umiam Lake was born. Local people still believe that every ripple in this lake is a profound symbol of a sister's love and separation.
The Reality Behind the Folklore: The Pain of Displacement and a Silent Witness
Alongside the mythological folklore, a heartbreaking historical and real emotion became tied to the lake when it took on its man-made or artificial form in the 1960s. It is not just a body of water; buried beneath its calm waters is the weeping of hundreds of people and the pain of losing their ancestral lands.
In the 1960s, when a dam was being built across the Umiam River to create Northeast India's first hydroelectric project, this vast, beautiful valley was artificially submerged under water. Because of this project, ancient and traditional Khasi indigenous villages like Khwan and Umsaw, along with their fertile agricultural lands, were swallowed by the water forever. In the name of development, nearly 200 Khasi families had to leave their ancestral hearths and birthplaces behind, moving elsewhere with tear-filled eyes.
Even today, when elderly locals look at these sample blue waters, they can feel the pulse of their lost childhood, memories, and the submerged ancient Khasi culture resting at the bottom of the lake. Umiam Lake stands today as a silent witness to the immense sacrifice they made for the sake of science and development.
Thus, while the beauty of Umiam may seem like a mere fairy tale to ordinary tourists, to the local hill people, every drop of its water represents both a heavenly folklore and a silent sigh for their lost land and roots.
Absolute Peace of the Heart
Standing by the edge of Umiam Lake and looking out at the calm, still waters of the Khasi Hills, an extraordinary, absolute peace descended upon my heart. When the white clouds in the sky cast their reflections on the crystal-clear water, it feels as though nature itself has spread out a living canvas here. As the cool breeze gently brushing off the lake
UMIAM LAKE
touched my face, I felt that nature has its own healing power—one that can instantly wash away all human worries and fatigue. In the distance, a couple of small boats were moving along, cutting through the calm water, which only heightened the beauty of this silence.
I walked right along the edge of the lake for a while. After soaking in this convergence of mountains, water, and history with my own eyes, I looked back at my dream bike, Dhannu. As the sweet mountain afternoon sun gleamed off the metallic body of the Royal Enfield, it looked even more captivating. I snapped some wonderful pictures here—capturing a rider's dream-come-true moment within the camera frame.
Before the afternoon light faded away completely, I had to start riding again because my destination—'Shillong', the Queen of Clouds—was still some distance away. Carrying the calm, mystical, and historic aura of Umiam Lake in my heart, I started the bike once again.
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