Sunamganj, Sylhet
A blue-green lake in an old limestone quarry, with the border hills just behind.
Niladri Lake lies at Tekerghat in Tahirpur, Sunamganj, right at the foot of the Meghalaya hills. It is not a natural lake but a flooded limestone quarry: limestone was dug here for many years, and when the quarrying stopped, the pits filled with water. Officially it is known as Shahid Siraj Lake.
What makes it special is the colour. The water is a deep, clear blue-green, ringed by small grassy hillocks, with the steep green hills of India rising just behind. On a still day the hills are reflected in the water, and the scene looks more like a mountain lake than anywhere in the flat delta.
Most visitors come as part of a Tanguar Haor trip, stopping at Tekerghat to walk around the lake and climb the low mounds for the view. The area around Tekerghat still shows traces of its quarrying past.
Step off your houseboat or boat at Tekerghat early, when the water is calm and the hills are clear.
Follow the paths around the water and climb a grassy mound for the view of the lake and the hills.
Stop for tea at the stalls before heading back.
Rejoin your boat and continue across Tanguar Haor towards Tahirpur.
October to March for the clearest blue water and easy walking; in the monsoon it is usually visited on a Tanguar Haor houseboat trip.
Near Tekerghat in Tahirpur, Sunamganj. Most visitors stop here on a Tanguar Haor boat trip.
