In the hilly, mist-shrouded terrain of Mizoram, many lakes carry names born of folklore, nature, and local memory. Tamdil (also called Tam Dil) means “Lake of Mustard.” “Tam” = mustard, “Dil” = lake. The poetic name already hints at a story beneath the surface — a lake born not by human hands, but by legend and the spontaneous flow of earth and water.

Tamdil Lake is located in the Aizawl district, near Saitual Village, around 87.5 km from Aizawl by road. It takes around three hours to reach the lake, and we started our journey in the morning. The weather in this part of the world has been fabulous — there has been mist, rain, sunshine, and bright orange skies with rainbows and wildflowers. The air is fresh, and there are dense forests and occasional waterfalls that make the view even more breathtaking. The drive was slow, and we went on our way at leisure.

Tamdil Lake

We would occasionally stop for tea breaks, and I would munch on local cookies and sweet bread as we drove along winding roads lined with tall and lavish churches. As I said, this part of the world is deeply Christian. Most of the tribals have converted to Christianity, and there are many Presbyterian churches in Aizawl, which remind us of its missionary roots. You will not find many Hindu temples or images of Hindu deities or calendars here. This is Christian country — the locals pray in churches and sing hymns. There is also very little Bengali influence here, unlike in Agartala.

Mizo is the local language of this place, and the locals take pride in speaking it. Many also speak English. From Aizawl, one has to drive through Champhai or Saitual, then take a diversion toward the lake, passing forested hills and valleys. The lake is set in a valley between mountain ridges — the slopes of hills rise on two sides, giving Tamdil an intimate, tucked-away feel.

Tamdil’s origin is steeped in folklore. According to local legend, there was once a mustard plant in that valley that grew unusually large. A widow tended to it after her husband died, and the plant prospered. But her new husband, resentful of the reminders of the former, uprooted the mustard plant. When he did so, water began to seep up from the earth and gradually filled the valley, forming the lake — thus, it was called the “Lake of Mustard.”

Other explanations say that heavy rains or landslides caused the ground to collapse or shift, forming a natural basin. Geological and historical records suggest that the lake may have formed around 1893, possibly due to a landslide or earth movement.

Tamdil is not just known for its scenic beauty — it is ecologically very valuable. The water reserve area covers approximately 13.7 square kilometers, including the buffer zone. The lake lies within the Indo–Myanmar biodiversity hotspot. There are bamboo trees, orchards, climbers, and many tree species like *Michelia*, *Terminalia*, *Schima wallichii*, *Toona*, and more. There are a variety of birds, deer, wild pigs, bears, and even wild boars in the nearby forests.

The lake water is quite muddy, and no one swims in it. People, however, enjoy boating here — it’s great fun for the entire family. I saw local women sitting near the lake singing songs; it felt like a picnic spot for families. There is a restaurant that serves local food, and one can even sit and do some fishing here. Many students also visit to study conservation and use the site to explore wetland ecology. Due to soil erosion and sediment deposition from the surrounding slopes, the water quality has degraded — it has turned from mustard-yellow to brown.

Why Lakes Like Tamdil Matter

Legends, land, and water converge — a cut mustard plant becomes a lake in myth, a landscape in reality. Uplands, forests, and water are interlinked; what happens on the hillsides affects the aquatic ecosystem below. For local communities, lakes are tied to beliefs, livelihoods, and heritage — not just nature. If people and visitors at large respect these places, they can survive and not just fade away.