Tamdil Lake

Tamadil Lake is a pristine natural water reservoir surrounded by a cool virgin thicket of vegetation. Located at a distance of 64 kms from Aizwal is said to be home to a rare species of frog recently discovered- Leptolalax tamadil. Literally the term "Tam" in the local dialect means mustard plant and “dil” means lake. Legend has it that the lake is said to have been formed as a a result of a giant mustard plant being uprooted from the spot. One can enjoy the breathtaking view of the reflection of the surrounding lush forest on the pristine still water. One can also go fishing or boating here.

Literally “Lake of Mustard”, Tam Dil is situated near Saitual Village, about 87.5 km from Aizawl. Having been developed as an important pisciculture centre by the Fisheries Department and a holiday resort by the Tourism Department, this is one of the most frequented lakes in the state. The lake and the surrounding thick forest are home to wide species of trees, plants and animals.

According to folklore, a couple used to have a jhum cultivation in this small valley surrounded by hills, but the man died suddenly and left the woman to look after the crops alone. In the middle of the field, there was a mustard plant that was bigger than the others and one night the widow was told in her dreams by her dead husband to take special care of the mustard plant which would bring her great blessings. She did as she was told, and the plant thrived very well and grew bigger and bigger. After sometime, the widow remarried but her new husband did not like her to keep anything that would remind her of her former husband and so he pulled the plant up by roots and threw it away. Out of the hole thus left in the ground water flowed out immediately and filled the valley to become a large and beautiful lake.

Belief Regarding the Formation of Tamdil Lake
A myth is associated with the formation of Tamdil Lake. It is believed that this lake was once a jhum plot, in the small valley surrounded by small steep hills. This plot was owned by a married couple. After the unfortunate death of the husband, this plot became his wife’s responsibility. Amidst the crops in the plot, was a robust mustard plant, conspicuously bigger than any other plant. One night the widow saw her husband in her dream. He informed her to take special care of the giant mustard plant. This was because this plant was a forerunner of immense blessings. As asked by her husband, the widow took immense care of this plant. After sometime, she remarried but the new husband did not want her to keep anything associated with her deceased husband. Therefore, he uprooted the plant and discarded it. What was left behind was a vast hole in the ground, which was soon filled by water (seeping from the plant according to some versions or from the ground itself, in another version) to become a lake. Thus, this lake is also called the ‘Lake of Mustard’.

Geography and Hydrography of Tamdil Lake
The Tamdil Lake is surrounded by tropical evergreen and moist deciduous forests with species like sehenia wallichii, chikrassia tabularis and bamboos. The forest surrounding the lake is inhabited by bears, deers, wild pigs and common avi-fauna. Fishes comprise the aquatic fauna of this lake. The lake is also a home to plenty of prawns. In 2010, a new species of frog called Leptolalax Tamdil was discovered in this lake.

Economic Values of Tamdil Lake
Mizoram has realized the potential of Tamdil Lake for tourism and has accordingly developed it as a tourism product. This lake is handled by the state’s tourism department along with it’s fisheries department. Tamdil Lake as an important pisciculture centre is the responsibility of the fisheries department, while the holiday resorts around this lake are maintained by the tourism department.