Lake of Tears, Meghalaya: The Legend Behind Its Name

India is home to many places where nature and local legends come together in fascinating ways. In Meghalaya, a beautiful lake near Shillong is associated with a name that sounds both unusual and poetic: the "Water of Tears." Known as Umiam Lake, the scenic reservoir is surrounded by green hills and Khasi pine forests. It is also called Bara Pani, meaning "Big Water." But behind its peaceful waters lies a local legend about two sisters, separation, and grief.

Why Is Umiam Lake Called the Water of Tears?

The name Umiam comes from the Khasi language. The word um means water, while iam means tears. Together, Umiam is associated with the meaning "Water of Tears."

According to a Khasi legend, two sisters travelled from heaven towards Meghalaya. During their journey, one of the sisters became separated from the other. Overcome with grief at losing her sister, the other sister began to cry. The legend says that her tears gave rise to the lake.

This is a traditional local story that explains the emotional meaning associated with the lake's name. The actual lake, however, has a very different origin.

The Lake Was Created for Hydroelectric Power

Umiam Lake is a man-made reservoir, not a natural lake formed by tears. The Umiam River was dammed in the early 1960s as part of a hydroelectric power project. The Umiam Stage I powerhouse began commercial operation in 1965. The project became an important part of the development of hydroelectric power in northeastern India.

This makes Umiam Lake especially interesting because its identity combines two very different stories. Its name is connected to an ancient local legend, while its waters were created through a modern engineering project.

A Scenic Gateway to Shillong

Located along the Guwahati-Shillong route, Umiam Lake is approximately 15 kilometers from Shillong and is one of the first major scenic attractions visitors encounter when travelling towards the hill city. The reservoir is surrounded by rolling green hills and forests, creating the dramatic landscape for which Meghalaya is famous.

The lake is also known for recreational activities such as boating and other water-based adventures. Its calm waters and surrounding hills make it a popular place for sightseeing, photography, and enjoying the natural beauty of Meghalaya.

Where Legend Meets Reality

Umiam Lake is a beautiful example of how India's most fascinating places can have more than one story to tell. The "Water of Tears" comes from a Khasi legend about the sorrow of a sister separated from her sibling. The lake itself, however, is a man-made reservoir created by damming the Umiam River for hydroelectric power generation.

Together, the legend, the history, and the surrounding landscape make Umiam Lake one of Meghalaya's most remarkable destinations. It is a place where an old story of sorrow and a modern story of engineering meet among the green hills of northeastern India.