For a long time, I had a strong desire to visit Keokradong, Bagalek and Munlaipara. Due to the busy schedule, the opportunity did not match. In the end, the desired opportunity was matched with the bat. On September 4 (Friday) of this year, I saw the beauty hidden in the folds of the mountain. It is only when you go to those places to see and realize how many mysteries and wonders are there in the mountains. Our journey started on Friday morning with a team of six.
I rented a jeep from Bandarban bus station and went to Ruma upazila in two hours. After reaching the area, you must first provide the security forces with detailed information, including a photocopy of your national identity card. Everything is in the interest of your safety. The guide will assist you in the whole task. I must say that if you want to go to these spots, you must take a guide.
After completing the necessary work, we left for Bagalek. Travel by jeep for about 16 kilometers. On the way, the security forces had to stop at several places to give us information. You will never know when you will reach Bagale while enjoying the unadulterated beauty along the green path and the back path of the mountain. However, your chest is sure to tremble as you climb the last steep hill of Bagalek. When you reach Bagale, you must first report to the local army camp. Then ... Bagalek is yours!
The journey from Bandarban to Bagalek is about 6 km. All in all it will take three and a half hours. And at the end of this long journey, it is normal to be overwhelmed when the expected bagalek is in front of your eyes. The whole lake from the Army Camp hill will catch your eye and mind. And will continue to say so beautiful! Why didn't you come before. Bagalek is a naturally created reservoir in the middle surrounded by greenery and mountains. I would like to go down now and dapadapi in the water of the lake. It is like the union of blue sky-mountains and water. Nature has poured a touch of green!
According to government sources, the lake is located at the top of a 2,600-foot-high hill in Remakri Pransa Union of Ruma Upazila. The 15-acre lake is thought to be the eruption of a dead volcano. It is the heart of the highest holy water in Bangladesh. However, the University of Dhaka (DU) Professor of Geography and Environment. Md. Shahidul Islam first measured Bagalek in 2005. According to his claim, Bagalek is 1,063 feet high and 115 feet deep.
How did the reservoir so high in the mountains! Curiosity is to know. Finding out from that interest. There are many stories about the creation of that mysterious lake. Notable among them is 'Dragon Killing'.
Panuya Bam, a local journalist and tourist associate, said that according to locals, about 70 families lived in the Murong (Mro) community in the Bagalek area many years ago. A dragon would kill and eat their livestock. The locals later killed the dragon and distributed its meat among the villagers. That night, a local old woman dreamed that the village was being submerged due to 'dragon killing'. He left the village before dawn the next day. The area inhabited by the Mro community was submerged after sunrise. Due to this the lake was created.
Similarity of the incident has been found in the writings of the veteran journalist Chowdhury Ataur Rahman. The story of 'Dragon Killing' came up in a report published in the Daily Bangla in 1973 about 'Bagalek'.
There are more secrets of the lake! Normally the water of Bagalek is clear blue but after three to four years the water of the lake becomes turbid. The color is very cloudy like muddy water. After three to four days the water color stays cloudy and returns to normal color. However, it is still unknown why such an incident took place.
Now tourists can enjoy the beauty of the lake, but the local administration has a 'ban' on access to the lake. A prohibition paper related to this is to be filled out when you provide information to Ruma. Where you have to promise not to go down to the lake. Although there is a ban, you can take a bath near the ghat. The administration has taken such a decision in the interest of safety after four people, including a tourist, died after falling into the water of the lake.
The main village of Bagalek can be seen a little further from the army camp. Now about 36 Bam families are living here. The small village and the big hills seem to have carefully guarded the lake. There is no electricity. So solar panels are the only hope. However, there is a special system to charge the battery of the mobile. There are adequate security measures.
Lal and Siam Bom are popular names for travelers. Everyone knows her as 'Siam Didi'. It was learned that he was the first to build the cottage in 2004. Now he has six cottages here. The house is basically called 'cottage'. He runs a shop himself. Tourists will be able to stay in his cottage as well as get food.
We spend our time on the shores of the lake in the full moon. Our barbecue is arranged there, in the light of the full moon on the head, the sound of wild life without noise can be said ... this is life
