Umiam Lake was built by the Assam State Electricity Board in the early 1960s. The reservoir was created by damming the Umiam River to establish the region's first major hydroelectric power project.
No, swimming is not allowed in Umiam Lake due to safety hazards like deep water and strong undercurrents. Visitors can instead enjoy safe water activities with gear or use nearby resort pools.
Umiam Lake, also known as Barapani, is the largest and most prominent reservoir in Meghalaya, located 15 km north of Shillong. While official records measure water bodies by surface area or catchment size rather than linear length, Umiam Lake spans a massive catchment area of 220 to 225 square kilometers.
While people often call it a lake, the cleanest and clearest water body in Meghalaya is actually the Umngot River (widely known as the Dawki River or Dawki Lake). It is famous for its transparent water where boats look like they are floating in the air. ·JustWravel
Traveling from Shillong to Umiam Lake covers a distance of about 23 km (15 miles) north along the Guwahati-Shillong Highway (NH6), taking roughly 26 to 40 minutes by taxi. A private taxi typically costs between ₹490 and ₹900, while shared cabs and local buses are also readily available from Police Bazar.
You should spend about 1 to 3 hours at Umiam Lake. This gives you enough time to take photos from the viewpoints, walk around the park, and do a quick boat ride.
Avoid visiting Shillong during the peak monsoon months from June to August, when heavy downpours, landslide risks, and flight cancellations make travel difficult.
Meghalaya was founded through the political leadership of Captain Williamson A. Sangma, who led the peaceful movement for statehood and became its first Chief Minister. The state was officially carved out of Assam on January 21, 1972.
No, Umiam is not a district. It is a town and a famous man-made reservoir (known as Umiam Lake or Barapani) located in the Ri-Bhoi district of the Indian state of Meghalaya.
A private, one-way taxi from Guwahati to Umiam Lake generally costs between ₹1,400 and ₹3,500, depending heavily on the vehicle type, booking platform, and your specific pickup location.
The "blue river" in Meghalaya commonly refers to the Lukha River in the East Jaintia Hills or the remarkably clear Umngot River in Dawki, though portions of the Kopili (Kupli) River area also exhibit striking turquoise-blue waters. ·Sejal Chauhan | Travel & Lifestyle
The most famous crystal-clear water body in India is the Umngot River in Dawki, alongside high-altitude gems like Pangong Tso and Gurudongmar Lake. ·Nitsa Holidays
Umiam Lake is most popularly known as Barapani Lake. The name translates to "big water" in the local dialect. Additionally, the lake is often referred to locally as Dam Sait or the "Water of Tears" based on local Khasi folklore.
The oldest recorded colonial name for Shillong was Yeodo (also spelled Yeddo), which was officially renamed on April 28, 1866. Locally and traditionally, the region derives its spiritual roots from the Khasi deity Lei Shyllong (or Leishyllong), worshipped at the nearby Shillong Peak.
The general entry fee for Umiam Lake is free, though specific park or garden areas like Lum Nehru Park charge around ₹20 to ₹50 per person. Separate activity fees apply for water sports.
