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Located at Batow Village in Jaintia Hills district, this
awe-inspiring lake overlooks the golden yellow plains of Bangladesh. It
resembles a gem in perfect sylvan setting. On either side, its banks are
adorned by lush green forests, which lend grace and beauty to the crystal
clear waters of the Umhang.
According
to tradition, the lake was created by the famed Jaintia Chieftain U Sajar
Nangli whose followers had also created the lake of Thadlaskein. It is
said that once U Sajar and his followers dined on the spot where Umhang
stands today, as wholesome water was available from a small spring well
which existed at the site. They were so pleased with the place and the
quality of water that they spent several months working at the site,
creating a lake which U Sajar Nangli hoped would be the biggest and
brightest inland mass of water within the Jaintia Kingdom. Umhang was thus
created.
The people of Batw regard Umhang as sanctified and do not permit its use
for any other purpose. They offer annual sacrifice on its banks and
zealously guard its environs from any ingress.