Niladri Lake (Tekerghat) travel guide

At a glance

Location

Tekerghat, Tahirpur

Origin

Abandoned limestone quarry

Next to

Meghalaya hills

Best time

October–March

History and details

Limestone was quarried at Tekerghat from British times; later it was taken from here as raw material for a cement factory (Chhatak Cement). After the quarry closed, water filled the huge pit and formed this lake. Travellers named it 'Niladri Lake' for its blue water and the green hillocks beside it.

On one side of the lake are the hills of Meghalaya, India; on the other, small hillocks and traces of the old railway that carried limestone. Many call it 'the Kashmir of Bengal'.

Things to do

• Climb the hillock for a view of the whole lake
• Watch the sunset
• Pop over to Lakmachhara

How to get to Niladri Lake (Tekerghat)

By boat from Tanguar Haor to Tekerghat.

Sunamganj is about 300 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 6–7 hours.

• 🚌 By bus: Sunamganj buses from Sayedabad/Mohakhali (Mamun, Shyamoli, Ena), non-AC ৳700–800.
• 🚗 By road: About 2 hours by bus from Sylhet to Sunamganj.

Where to stay

• Houseboats on Tanguar Haor (book ahead)
• Mid-range hotels in Sunamganj town

What to eat

Fresh haor fish, duck curry

Good to know

• The lake is deep — don't go in if you can't swim
• Can be combined with a Tanguar Haor tour

More to see nearby

• Lakmachhara (2 km)
• Tanguar Haor
• Barikka Tila (15 km)

More places to visit in Sunamganj district

• Tanguar Haor — A Ramsar site; sea-like water in the monsoon, hijol-koroch forest and migratory birds in winter.
• Barikka Tila — Views of the Jadukata River and the Meghalaya hills from the hillock.
• Jadukata River — A river of clear blue water and white sand.
• Shimul Garden — A garden of hundreds of silk-cotton (shimul) trees; covered in red flowers in Falgun.
• Hason Raja Museum — The house and memorial museum of the mystic poet Hason Raja.

Location on the map