Bogakain Lake, or Boga Lake, is a
naturally formed lake that originated approximately 2,000 years ago. It is
located at an altitude of about 1,246 feet (380 meters) above sea level,
nestled at the foot of Keokradong Hill, which is 17 kilometers from Ruma
Upazila in the Bandarban district. According to geologists, this lake was
formed either from the crater of an extinct volcano or as a result of a
meteorite impact. Over time, rainwater collected in this crater, eventually
creating a large, rectangular-shaped lake.
Boga Lake is known to many as Dragon
Lake. Tourists who visit are captivated by its changing beauty at dawn, dusk,
and night. The cool and tranquil water of the lake instantly relieves the
fatigue of the journey. Covering an area of about 18.56 acres (75,100 m²) at
the foot of the mountain, with a stunning display of the sky, mountains, and
blue water, Boga Lake has become a unique attraction for tourists.
This freshwater lake is surrounded on
three sides by towering mountain peaks, which are lush with thick bamboo bushes.
Being a closed lake, it has no outlet for water to drain away, nor does it
receive water from any external sources. The only water source for the lake is
rain, although there is a small spring or waterfall called Boga Chhara located
153 meters below the lake. The average depth of Boga Lake is 38 meters.
The water in the lake is so clear that
you can see fish swimming underwater. There is a mystery hidden beneath the
surface. The surface of Boga Lake is covered with rocks and boulders of various
shapes. Chemical experts have stated that the high acidity levels make the lake
unsuitable for growing any kind of plant life or supporting animals. However,
the intriguing part is that both flora and fauna can still be found there.
There are mythological stories and
legends from the Bawm, Marma, Mro, Khumi, and Tripura communities about the
creation of Boga Lake. One such myth states that there was a Bawm village and a
Murung village located near the lake. The local indigenous communities include
the Bawm, Murung or Mro, Tanchangya, Tripura, and others. According to their
folklore, a dragon used to live in a cave in the mountain long ago. In the Bawm
language, the dragon is called “Boga.” To appease the dragon deity, local
people would sacrifice livestock. However, one day, some people killed the
dragon deity. Immediately after its death, a deafening roar erupted from the
cave, followed by a burst of fire that turned everything to ash. After that,
the hilltop turned into a submerged lake, destroying the surrounding villages.
Though there is no factual evidence for this myth, the fire-breathing dragon in
the story and the lake’s crater-like structure align with the idea of a dead
volcano.
In another mythological story, it is
said that Boga Lake was once a wealthy Mro village. A large snake used to live
in a tunnel near the village. One day, some villagers caught the snake and ate
it. Due to the villagers eating the snake, the serpent king (Nagraj) took
revenge, causing the entire village along with its inhabitants to sink, leading
to the creation of Boga Lake. Still, many Bawm and Mro people believe that when
the serpent king, who lives in the depth of the lake, shakes its tail, the lake’s
water becomes murky.
According to some senior citizens, the
origin of the lake was connected to a deity that the inhabitants of Khumi
Village killed and ate. This divine being later reappeared to them in the form
of a dragon. Suddenly, an earthquake struck, causing the hillside to collapse
and the village to vanish, leaving behind a deep lake in its place.
It is quite difficult to travel to Boga
Lake during monsoon, but it is convenient to go there in winter season. Still, many
adventure-loving tourists accept the hardship to be captivated by the beauty of
Boga Lake. The entire route from Bandarban to Boga Lake is a zigzag mountain path.
The beauty of this path will attract you and the fatigue of the journey will
fade away.
How to go to Boga Lake?
No matter which part of the country you
live in, you will first have to come to Bandarban to go to Boga Lake. From Arambagh,
Fakirapool, Abdullahpur, and Sayedabad in Dhaka, buses of different transports
like S. Alam, Saudia, Saintmartin Paribahan, Unique, Hanif, Shyamoli, Dolphin,
etc. depart for Bandarban. The fare per person of these busies is approximately
BDT 800-900 for non-AC and BDT 1200-1800 for AC respectively. It takes about
8-10 hours to go to Bandarban from Dhaka by bus.
If you want to go there by train, you
can go to Chattogram by taking Parjatak Express, Cox’s Bazar Express, Sonar
Bangla, Subarna Express, Turna Nishitha, or Mahanagar Godhuli from Dhaka. The
ticket price ranges from BDT 405 to BDT 1398, depending on the class. Moreover,
you can travel directly from Dhaka to Chattogram by air.
Two buses named Pubali and Purbani
depart for Bandarban from Bahaddarhat in Chattogram. On these two buses, the
fare for each person is BDT 220. You can travel to Bandarban from the Dampara
Bus Stand in Chattogram by bus for a fare of BDT 200–300.
From Bandarban to Boga Lake:
If you want to go to Boga Lake from
Bandarban city, you must first go to Ruma Bazar. The distance from Bandarban to
Ruma Bazar is approximately 43 kilometers. You can go to Ruma Bazar by local
bus or Chander Gari (classic blue jeep). If you want to travel by bus, you must
go to the Ruma bus stand in Bandarban. From there, buses depart for Ruma every
hour. The fare for each person is BDT 120, and the journey takes about three
hours. If you travel in a group, you can go to Ruma Bazar by Chander Gari. This
vehicle can accommodate 10-15 people. You will have to rent this type of
vehicle for BDT 3000-4000 from the jeep station in Bandarban city. Traveling by
jeep will take around two hours.
Upon reaching Ruma Bazar, the first
thing you need to do is hire a guide to go to Boga Lake. It is mandatory to
take a guide. There are registered guides available, and you need to arrange
for one of them. Before departing, you need to get permission from the Ruma
Bazar Army Camp to travel to Boga Lake. For this, the identities of all
traveling members must be submitted in writing. The guide will help you with
these procedures. Also, you must keep in mind that permission to travel from
Ruma Bazar to Boga Lake is not granted after 4 PM.
The distance from Ruma Bazar to Boga
Lake is approximately 17 kilometers. After obtaining permission, you will need
to hire a Land Cruiser Jeep or a Chander Gari. One vehicle can accommodate 8-15
people. You can take the help of a guide for these tasks. If you explain what
you need to the guide, they will generally arrange everything for you. From
Ruma Bazar to Boga Lake, the reserve fare for a Land Cruiser is BDT 1800, while
the fare for a Chander Gari is BDT 2000. If you have a small group, you can
talk to another group and arrange to hire a vehicle together. Alternatively,
you can buy a ticket and travel by local transport. From 8 AM to 4 PM, local
transport, Chander Gari, operates every hour. The fare for local transport to
Boga Lake is BDT 100 per person.
Currently, you can travel directly by
vehicle from Ruma Bazar to Boga Lake. However, during the rainy season, if the
road is in poor condition, vehicles may not be able to reach Boga Lake
directly.
Accommodation and food arrangements at
Boga Lake:
There are no high-quality hotels or
resorts at Boga Lake. However, there are around 20 small cottages owned by the
indigenous people. You will have to stay in one of these cottages. Among them,
Siam Didi’s cottage, Laram’s cottage, and Robert’s cottage are the most
popular. Some cottages are built on elevated bamboo platforms right next to the
lake. Staying in these indigenous cottages, surrounded by a completely natural
environment, will cost BDT 100-200 per person. A one-room cottage can
accommodate 5-6 people. Besides, separate cottages can be arranged for couples
or female travelers if desired. If you have a preference in advance, inform the
guide when going there, and he will arrange the cottage for you. Alternatively,
you can arrange it upon arrival.
If you plan to go there during the
off-season, you do not need to reserve a cottage in advance. However, if you
plan to visit during the peak season, you must make a reservation before your
journey. The best time to visit Boga Lake is winter. The weather during that
period is pleasantly dry and comfortable, allowing you to avoid any
weather-related difficulties. If you are an adventurer who enjoys challenges
and wants to experience the real beauty of the mountain, then you must visit
during the monsoon or just after the end of the rainy season.
You will have to make food arrangements
in the indigenous houses. Usually, food packages are available for BDT 100-200.
The food arrangement typically includes rice, eggs, mashed potatoes, and
mountain chicken. For this, you must inform in advance what you would like to
eat and how many people will be eating. If you want to have food upon arrival,
you can inform the guide before traveling. The cottages have barbecue
facilities. You can buy mountain chicken and enjoy this unique experience while
sitting by the lake.
Boga Lake travel tips:
Ø There is no electricity at Boga Lake, but there is an
arrangement for a solar power system. You can carry a power bank with you to
charge your mobile.
Ø Not all mobile networks are available at Boga Lake. The
networks of Robi and Teletalk are available here. So, you can carry a SIM card
from either of these network providers.
Ø Recently, some accidents have occurred at Boga Lake. So, be
careful while bathing in the lake.
Ø The lifestyle of indigenous people is not like that of
people living in plain areas. Always try to avoid doing anything that may
disrespect them.
Ø Take permission before taking photos of indigenous people. They
may not like having their photos taken without permission.
Ø The entire road from Bandarban to Boga Lake is a zigzag
hilly road. Be careful while traveling.
Ø You can keep a copy of your national identity card with you
for safety.
Ø You must get permission from the army camp to go to Boga
Lake. You must also report when coming back.
Attention: Any tourist spot is a valuable asset of our country.
Refrain from doing anything that is harmful to nature and its beauty. Encourage
others to do the same. This country is ours, and it is our responsibility to
take care of everything in it.
Caution: Hotel,
resort, transportation rental, and other costs change over time. Therefore, the
information published here may not be up to date. Please plan your trip based
on the latest information before traveling anywhere.