Mahamaya Lake
Mahamaya Lake, located in the Durgapur Union of Mirsharai in Chattogram, is Bangladesh’s second-largest man-made lake. Situated 45 kilometers north of Chattogram city, near the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, the lake spans 11 square kilometers at the foothills of the mountains, just 2 kilometers east of Thakur Dighi Bazaar in the 8th ward of Durgapur Union, Mirsarai. Part of the lake’s water is used for irrigation in the surrounding areas under the initiative of the Bangladesh Water Development Board. Mahamaya Lake is known for its crystal-clear waters and the scenic harmony between the lake and the hills. In addition to the serene landscape, visitors can explore mountain caves, a rubber dam, and beautiful waterfalls. Boating on the lake is a popular activity, and for those seeking a refreshing experience, they can enjoy the cool waters of the waterfall cascading down the hills, providing both body and mind with a sense of tranquility.
History of Mahamaya Lake
To address waterlogging and flash floods in the Mohamaya area, as well as to provide irrigation facilities for agriculture during the dry season, the Water Development Board installed a sluice gate on the Mohamaya Canal in 1999 as part of the Mohamaya Irrigation Project. Later, in 2007-2008, work on the Mohamaya Lake project began, and the construction was completed in 2009. The creation of the lake involved utilizing 3,360 hectares of land and cost approximately 230 million BDT (23 crore). After the project was inaugurated on December 29, 2010, the area gradually started attracting tourists.
| When Will You Go |
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The lake remains full of water throughout the year. However, during the monsoon season, Mohamaya Lake transforms into a scene of extraordinary beauty. |
| Special Advice |
In addition to kayaking, Mohamaya Lake offers camping facilities with tents for overnight stays, though this option is available only for men. The camping hours are from 7:00 PM to 8:00 AM the following day. However, not everyone can camp whenever they wish, as the facility has a capacity limit of 100 people, and groups must consist of at least 5 members. Carrying or consuming any kind of drugs during camping is strictly prohibited. Additionally, littering—such as throwing peels, plastic items, or bottles—is not allowed. Campers are advised to bring sufficient water, light snacks, first-aid supplies, and a power bank. There are no restaurants or canteens within the park, so you’ll need to carry your own food.
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| Special precautions |
| Be sure to personally verify all rental rates or fees before making any arrangements to avoid falling into the traps of middlemen or scammers. Keep your personal belongings safe and secure, as you are responsible for them. Since overnight camping is available, exercise caution when accepting food from strangers during the camp; it’s your responsibility to ensure your safety. |
| Distance from Various Division Cities to Tanguar Haor | |
| Dhaka | 195 km. |
| Rajshahi |
441 km (Tangail → Dhaka → Narayanganj Root)
476 km. (Rajbari → Narayanganj Root) |
| Rangpur | 486 km. |
| Sylhet | 322 km. |
| Mymensingh | 303 km. (by Dhaka Root) |
| Khulna | 286 km (By Barishal Root) |
| Barisal | 183 km. |
| Chittagong | 67 km. |
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How to get from Dhaka |
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| (Mohamaya Lake is located two kilometers east of Thakurdighi Bazaar in Mirsarai, Chattogram. Therefore, to reach the lake from anywhere in the country, you must first travel to Thakurdighi.) | |
| Bus |
Dhaka Bus Stands:-
(Bus available from 09.00 PM to 11.30 PM) |
Buses:-
(You need to get off at Thakurdighi Bazaar before reaching Mirsarai. Additionally, from Saydabad Bus Stand, you can take Star Line transport to Feni and then catch a local bus to get off at Thakurdighi Bazaar. From there, you can take a CNG to the main gate of the lake.) |
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| Train |
(There is no direct train facility from Dhaka to Bandarban so you have to take train till Chittagong.) Trains from Dhaka to Chittagong-
(There are no direct trains from Dhaka to Mohamaya Lake. However, if you want to take a train to Chattogram, you should get off at Feni Station. From there, take a local bus from Feni Mahipal Bus Stand to Thakurdighi Bazaar. If you prefer to travel by mail train, you can get off at Chinki Astana Station and take an auto, laguna, or CNG directly to Thakurdighi or straight to Mohamaya Lake Reserve.) |
| Biman |
(As there is no direct flight facility from Dhaka to Bandarban, you have to fly to Chittagong.) Flights to Chittagong:-
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How to get from Rajshahi |
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| Bus |
(As there is no direct bus, train or flight facility from Rajshahi to Bandarban, you have to go to Bandarban via Chittagong.) Bus Stands to Chittagong:-
Buses to Chittagong:-
(Before travelling, check carefully where you are going, whether the transports will reach your destination. Because the information changes with the change of time) (You need to get off at Thakurdighi Bazaar before reaching Mirsarai. Additionally, from Saydabad Bus Stand, you can take Star Line transport to Feni and then catch a local bus to get off at Thakurdighi Bazaar. From there, you can take a CNG to the main gate of the lake.) |
| Train |
(As there is no direct train facility from Rajshahi to Chittagong, you have to go to Dhaka first and then take the train.) Trains to Dhaka:-
(As you have to catch the Dhaka mail train. So it is better to go to Dhaka by fast express from Natore first) (There are no direct trains from Dhaka to Mohamaya Lake. However, if you want to take a train to Chattogram, you should get off at Feni Station. From there, take a local bus from Feni Mahipal Bus Stand to Thakurdighi Bazaar. If you prefer to travel by mail train, you can get off at Chinki Astana Station and take an auto, laguna, or CNG directly to Thakurdighi or straight to Mohamaya Lake Reserve.) |
| Biman |
Flights to Chittagong: Flights from Rajshahi Airport to Chittagong Airport-
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Ways to go from Rangpur |
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Bus |
(As there is no direct bus, train or flight facility from Rangpur to Bandarban, you have to go to Bandarban via Chittagong.) Bus Stands:-
Buses:-
(Before travelling, check carefully where you are going, whether the transports will reach your destination. Because the information changes with the change of time) (You need to get off at Thakurdighi Bazaar before reaching Mirsarai. Additionally, from Saydabad Bus Stand, you can take Star Line transport to Feni and then catch a local bus to get off at Thakurdighi Bazaar. From there, you can take a CNG to the main gate of the lake.) |
| Train |
(As there is no direct train facility from Rangpur to Chittagong, you have to go to Dhaka first and then take the train.) Trains to Dhaka:-
(There are no direct trains from Dhaka to Mohamaya Lake. However, if you want to take a train to Chattogram, you should get off at Feni Station. From there, take a local bus from Feni Mahipal Bus Stand to Thakurdighi Bazaar. If you prefer to travel by mail train, you can get off at Chinki Astana Station and take an auto, laguna, or CNG directly to Thakurdighi or straight to Mohamaya Lake Reserve.)
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| Biman |
(If you want to go directly to Chittagong by plane, you have to go to Syedpur Airport, 40 km from Rangpur city.) Flights to Chittagong:
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Way to go from Sylhet |
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| Bus |
(Since there is no direct bus, train or flight facility from Sylhet to Bandarban, you have to go to Bandarban via Chittagong.) Bus Stands to Chittagong:-
Buses to Chittagong:-
(Before travelling, check carefully where you are going, whether the transports will reach your destination. Because the information changes with the change of time) (You need to get off at Thakurdighi Bazaar before reaching Mirsarai. Additionally, from Saydabad Bus Stand, you can take Star Line transport to Feni and then catch a local bus to get off at Thakurdighi Bazaar. From there, you can take a CNG to the main gate of the lake.) |
| Train |
Trains to Chittagong:-
(There are no direct trains from Dhaka to Mohamaya Lake. However, if you want to take a train to Chattogram, you should get off at Feni Station. From there, take a local bus from Feni Mahipal Bus Stand to Thakurdighi Bazaar. If you prefer to travel by mail train, you can get off at Chinki Astana Station and take an auto, laguna, or CNG directly to Thakurdighi or straight to Mohamaya Lake Reserve.) |
| Biman |
Flights to Chittagong: Flights from Sylhet Airport to Chittagong Airport-
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How to get from Mymensingh |
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| Bus |
(As there is no direct bus, train or flight facility from Mymensingh to Bandarban, you have to go to Bandarban via Chittagong.) Buses from Mymensingh district city to Chittagong:-
(Before travelling, check carefully where you are going, whether the transports will reach your destination. Because the information changes with the change of time) (You need to get off at Thakurdighi Bazaar before reaching Mirsarai. Additionally, from Saydabad Bus Stand, you can take Star Line transport to Feni and then catch a local bus to get off at Thakurdighi Bazaar. From there, you can take a CNG to the main gate of the lake.) |
| Train |
Trains to Chittagong:-
(There are no direct trains from Dhaka to Mohamaya Lake. However, if you want to take a train to Chattogram, you should get off at Feni Station. From there, take a local bus from Feni Mahipal Bus Stand to Thakurdighi Bazaar. If you prefer to travel by mail train, you can get off at Chinki Astana Station and take an auto, laguna, or CNG directly to Thakurdighi or straight to Mohamaya Lake Reserve.) |
| Biman |
(As there is no direct flight facility from Mymensingh to Bandarban, you have to fly to Dhaka from there) Flights to Chittagong:-
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How to reach Bandarban from Khulna |
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| Bus |
(As there is no direct bus, train or flight facility from Khulna to Bandarban, you have to go to Bandarban via Chittagong.) Bus Stands to Chittagong:-
Buses to Chittagong:-
(Before travelling, check carefully where you are going, whether the transports will reach your destination. Because the information changes with the change of time) (You need to get off at Thakurdighi Bazaar before reaching Mirsarai. Additionally, from Saydabad Bus Stand, you can take Star Line transport to Feni and then catch a local bus to get off at Thakurdighi Bazaar. From there, you can take a CNG to the main gate of the lake.) |
| Train |
(As there is no direct train facility from Khulna to Bandarban, you have to go to Dhaka and from there take a train to Chittagong) Trains to Dhaka:-
(There are no direct trains from Dhaka to Mohamaya Lake. However, if you want to take a train to Chattogram, you should get off at Feni Station. From there, take a local bus from Feni Mahipal Bus Stand to Thakurdighi Bazaar. If you prefer to travel by mail train, you can get off at Chinki Astana Station and take an auto, laguna, or CNG directly to Thakurdighi or straight to Mohamaya Lake Reserve.) |
| Biman |
Flights to Chittagong:-
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How to reach Bandarban from Barisal |
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| Bus |
(As there is no direct bus, train or flight facility from Barisal to Bandarban, you have to go to Bandarban via Chittagong.) Bus Stands to Chittagong:-
Buses to Chittagong:-
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How to get from Chittagong to Bandarban |
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| Bus |
Bus Stands:-
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Buses:-
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Accommodation and Food |
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(There are all sorts of arrangements in tribal neighborhoods for accommodation and food.) |
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| Residential Hotels |
Hotels in Chottogram-
(There are no accommodation options in Mirsharai or Thakur Dighi Bazar. However, if you’d like, you can stay in Sitakunda, which is right next to Mirsharai.) |
| Restaurants |
(There are no food hotels or canteens inside the park. However, you can find various small and large hotels and food shops in Mirsharai/Sitakunda Bazaar or Thakur Dighi Bazar.) |
Advantages of traveling are-
- Advanced communication system.
- Facilitate spending quality time with family/couple or friends.
- Beautiful and pleasant environment.
- If Necessary, Take Water Bottle, Umbrella Or Raincoat And Water Proof Bag.
- Get Full Charge On Mobile, Torch, Power Bank.
- With The Help Of A Local Guide You Can Tour The Whole Region Beautifully.
- Don’t Forget To Take Necessary Materials For Trekking.
- Travel In Groups Of At Least 6 People.
Note- Beware of all kinds of brokers/scammers. Be very careful on the way so as not to get into any kind of danger. In case of any problem, take the help of local administration or call the National Emergency Service of Bangladesh – 999.
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