Abdus Salam Dinajpur
The man-made Ramsagar Lake, situated in the Tajpur village of Dinajpur district, has long been a significant tourist destination. The lake attracts visitors year-round.
According to the revenue division of the Dinajpur District Commissioner’s office, the lake spans an area of 4,37,492 square meters, measuring 1,031 meters in length and 364 meters in width.
Its average depth is approximately 10 meters, with the banks rising to a height of 13.5 meters.
A visit to the lake reveals traces of its past, including remnants of a pier once located at the centre of the western bank. This pier, made of various sizes of boulder slabs, was a crucial structure in the lake’s history but was eventually lost due to the Department of Forest’s activities.
Despite this, some parts of the pier still remain. The original pier measured 45.8 meters in length and 18.3 meters in width, with each of the banks rising to a height of 10.75 meters.
Locals from Tajpur village have shared many stories and legends surrounding Ramsagar. According to historians, the famous King Ramnath of Dinajpur, reigning from 1722 to 1760, is said to have constructed the lake before the Battle of Palashi between 1750 and 1755.
The lake was named Ramsagar after him.
It is believed that the lake was excavated at the considerable cost of around 30,000 rupees at the time, with a workforce of 15,000 labourers employed to complete the project.
The lake has been under the supervision of the Forest Department since 1960 and was developed as a modern tourist centre in 1995-96.
In 2001, it was officially declared a national park.
Several folk tales surround the origins of Ramsagar, with one particularly well-known story dating back to 1750. During a severe drought, the kingdom suffered from a lack of water, causing many subjects to fall ill. The compassionate King Prananath, after receiving a divine dream, decided to dig a pond to resolve the water shortage.
In just 15 days, the pond was completed. However, no water came from the pond. In another dream, the king was told that if his son, Prince Ram, were sacrificed, the water would flow. Following this divine vision, the king constructed a small temple in the middle of the lake. The prince, dressed in white and riding an elephant, proceeded to the lake and entered the temple. As soon as he did, water began to pour out of the lake in torrents, flooding the entire area and submerging the prince in the process.
Another version of the tale tells of the prince’s death by drowning in the lake, prompting the lake to be named after him—Ramsagar.
These captivating folk tales continue to surround Ramsagar, which has become not only a beautiful tourist spot but also a valuable asset for the country.
It is essential for both the government and the people to take responsibility for preserving this historical treasure, ensuring that the beauty of Ramsagar is maintained for future generations.
