Bogalek
Which is located at the foothills of Keokradong Hills, 15 km from Ruma Upazila of Bandarban District. More than 2,000 years ago, it is a calm, sweet, and cool water lake of the highest altitude, naturally formed on an area of about 15 acres at the base of Mount Keokradong, about 1,246 feet (380 meters) above sea level. Basically it is located on a plateau between 457 meters and 610 meters above sea level, with a depth of 38 meters (125 ft). Professor of Geography and Environment Department of Dhaka University. Md. Shahidul Islam first measured Bagalek in 2005 and claimed that the height of Bagalek is 1,73 feet and the depth is 115 feet.
A mouza situated 29 km inland from the bank of river Shankh in the eastern part of Ruma upazila is ‘Naitong mouza’, whose lake is located on top of a hill belonging to the Palitai mountain range. Basically the lake is surrounded on three sides by mountain peaks, where all the mountains are covered by 46 meters high bamboo groves. The unique formation of Baga Lake on the top of a small funnel-shaped hill looks like a volcanic crater.
Beside Baga Lake there is a Bom Para (Bagamukhpara) and a Murang Para. Other tribes like Bam, Marma, Murang or Mror, Khumi, Tanchangya and Tripura also live as local tribes. They believe that gods live around this lake. And so they worship here.
The lake is completely enclosed. Water cannot come out or enter from it. There is no visible source of water even around it. However, there is a small spring source 153 meters below the lake, known as “Baga Rham”. According to Banglapedia information – the water of this lake is very acidic.So there is no algae or other aquatic plants in it. Not even any aquatic animals can live here. However, according to 2009 data – Baga lake water is very fresh and the lake water has a lot of algae, algae, algae and other aquatic plants, as well as a lot of small/large size fish. Although the water of the lake is clear blue, there is a hot spring at the bottom of it, so its water turns cloudy like muddy water every three to four years. But after three to four days the color of the water remains cloudy and returns to its normal color. In addition, Baga Lake takes on a new look every time, morning, evening or night. The lake is shimmering in the bright morning light and colorful in the night sky. And so Baga Lake at night and Baga Lake at day are completely different. The lake looks more beautiful especially on a moonlit night. However, as per the record of 2024, the lake can be stayed from morning to evening due to increased terrorist activity after evening.
History of Bogakain Lake or Bagalek
Locally it is known as Bogakain Lake, Bagalek or Dragon Lake. It is also known as ‘The Lake Of Mystery’. There are many popular stories about this lake. For example-
- According to geologists, the lake was formed by the eruption of a dead volcano or the fall of a meteorite.
According to many – it can be caused due to landslides. - According to another myth – this lake was a prosperous Mro village. In a tunnel next to the village, there were large snakes that caught and ate the villagers. In revenge of Nagaraja who fed the snake, the village along with the villagers went to the lake and Baga lake was created. Still Bom, the adivasis of Mro believe, the water of the lake becomes turbid when the Nagaraj, which lies deep in the lake, shakes its tail.
- According to the legends of the local tribes and a report published by veteran journalist Chowdhury Ataur Rahman in ‘Dainik Bangla’ in 1983 about “Bagalek” – Many years ago, about 60 families of the Murong (Mror) community lived in the Bagalek area. A dragon would kill and eat their livestock. Later the locals killed the dragon and distributed its meat among the villagers. That night, a local old woman dreamed that the village was being submerged in water due to the killing of a dragon. He left the village before the next morning. After the sun rises, the area inhabited by the Mror community is submerged in water. This results in the creation of the lake.
Although there is no real evidence for this myth, scientific analysis and evidence suggest that the crater-like formation of the lake is consistent with the idea of a dead volcano.
| When Will You Go |
During the monsoon, nature surrounds itself with its own beauty, but during this time Bagalek and its surroundings are very dangerous. However, if you want to go, during the rainy season, jeeps going to Ruma often go up to Kaikxyangjiri and then you have to travel by engine boat for more than 1 hour to Rumabazar. During this time, you have to walk the entire way from Rumabazar to Bagalek. Lake travel is safest and most convenient in winter as the roads are unpaved and muddy, making transportation difficult. The best time to visit Bagalek is considered to be from the beginning of November to the month of March next year. |
| Special Advice |
Photographs of locals may not be taken without permission. Avoid getting into arguments with locals. It is not proper to throw shells or plastic items and bottles anywhere. Since you have to go for a trek of about 4-5 hours in remote areas, try to carry small bags and light things as much as possible. Carry enough water, light food and first aid supplies.
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| Special precautions |
| Traveling on the roof of the jeep is completely prohibited by the Bangladesh Army. There is no electricity facility except solar, so it is very important to carry power bank and torch. Robi and Airtel are suitable as mobile SIM networks here. To avoid untoward risks and to prevent recurrence of previous fatal incidents, bathing or bathing in the lake is strictly prohibited by the local administration. |
| Distance of Bagalek from different divisional cities of the country | |
| Dhaka | 273.80 km. (170.13 miles) |
| Rajshahi | 490.43 km. (304.74 miles) |
| Rangpur | 544.97 km. (338.63 miles) |
| Sylhet | 341.56 km. (212.23 miles) |
| Mymensingh | 379.16 km. (265.60 miles) |
| Khulna | 322 km. (200.08 miles) |
| Barisal | 233.33 km. (144.99 miles) |
| Chittagong | 85.25 km. (52.97 miles) |
To go to Bagalek first you need to go to Bandarban | |
How to reach Bandarban from Dhaka | |
| Bus | Dhaka Bus Stands:-
(Bus available from 09.00 PM to 11.30 PM) |
Buses:-
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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-
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| 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 | |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| Biman | Flights to Chittagong: Flights from Rajshahi Airport to Chittagong Airport-
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Ways to go from Rangpur | |
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) |
| 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:-
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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 | |
| 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) |
| Train | Trains to Chittagong:-
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| Biman | Flights to Chittagong: Flights from Sylhet Airport to Chittagong Airport-
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How to get from Mymensingh | |
| 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) |
| Train | Trains to Chittagong:-
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| 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 | |
| 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) |
| 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:-
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| Biman | Flights to Chittagong:-
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How to reach Bandarban from Barisal | |
| 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 | |
| Bus | Bus Stands:-
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Buses:-
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Bandarban To Bagalek Routes and Description:
On The Way Back- (Don’t hesitate to negotiate and bargain with the guide very well to get a good view of the convenient route and surrounding areas.) | |
Accommodation and Food | |
(There are all sorts of arrangements in tribal neighborhoods for accommodation and food.) | |
| Residential Hotels |
(As there is no residential hotel on the route, the tribals have to stay in the neighborhoods. Therefore, you can arrange accommodation by directly talking to the house owner of the said residential neighborhoods or with the help of a guide.) |
| Restaurants | You will get the facility of eating anywhere in the neighborhood or in a residential house. |
| Note: Tell the guide what you need and they will usually arrange it. | |
Basic distance and fare from Bandarban to Bagalek-
Bandarban to Rumabazar – (Approximately 48 km)
- Local Bus- Fare minimum 120 taka per person
- Chander’s Car- Minimum 3000-4000 Tk
Arrival time – about 3 hours
Rumabazar to Bagalek – (About 17 km)
- Local Bus- Fare minimum 100 taka per person
- Chander’s car – minimum Tk 2000-2500
Arrival time – about 2 hours
Please note that these lists are only indicative of minimum fares. Which is changing in current situation. So negotiate according to the correct information.
Advantages of traveling to Bagalek 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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