Poukendiliu Pamai : Lake Shilloi is a natural lake in Phek district, Nagaland. It is the biggest natural lake in Nagaland, India. The mythology of Shilloi Lake, which has existed since time immemorial, is neither a legendary, superstition-based fiction story nor an artificial man-made lake.
The lake is surrounded by towering, gorgeous mountains and evergreen pine trees, which provide additional visual appeal and majesty for those who enjoy the outdoors, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who sees it.
It is also a great place to unwind after a demanding and exhausting day of excitement and adventure for individuals who enjoy leisure trips away from home.
Origin of the Shilloi Lake
The ancestors gave the name and word “LIITSAM” as their original name. It is a “Lurathura” term, which literally means “stagnant or still water”. It was named after the lake, which remains still at all times, while the word “Shilloi” is derived from the word “Lurathura,” which meaning guarded or safeguarded.
According to tradition, the lake’s goddess, shaped like a large serpent, went from the eastern region (Myanmar) in quest of a permanent abode. Before arriving at her current site, the goddess attempted two other locations: YAMCHONTRI and MUKHROLANG narrow plain.
However, the goddess found these two spots inconvenient because of the small area. Finally, the goddess had to transfer to SHATHUZU (the current location), which occurred to be suited for a permanent residence. Subsequently, water begins to accumulate from within, giving rise to the LUTSAM.
During the formation of this lake, there was one ethnic clan called “LUNNURI” who were the early settler of this area and the eye witnesser of the lake formation. This clan sustain themselves through cultivation (agricultural land).
One time the clan undertook their cultivation on this lake area. One day the young couple left their new borned male child at their farm hut after nursing by his mother to sleep. The child did not cry or scream even after the pair worked for a few hours.
When the mother went back to the farm hut to check on their child, she was shocked to discover that the child had vanished. She called out, startled all of the nearby workers, and looked for the missing child. However, there was no sign of the missing child.
Thus, their search proved fruitless. Meanwhile, they heard the baby’s cries and were horrified to discover their lost infant floating above the lake’s surface in the middle, with no way for the parents to save him or her.
The next day, the entire community resolved to drain the lake out of resentment. So they decided to create a water passage channel and began digging to drain the lake. Before they could finish their labor, they returned home for the night.
On that very night, all of the villagers had had the same dream, warning them that if they continued their work and drained the lake, 50 people would be taken to make his pillow, another 50 people for his footstool, and another 50 people for his right and left arm rests. Because of this warning, they stopped working.
The trace handiwork of this clan’s dug channel opening in the mud still exists today, measuring around 4×4 feet in size on the western side of the lake. As a result, our forefathers continue to believe that the abducted human child has reclaimed the lake to this day.
Despite the fact that every tourist participated in a variety of recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, boating, and rafting, no tragic or ill-fated incidents occurred.
Despite its excellent nature and wonderful panoramic perspective, the lake remains the dark continent. Today, the lake plays an essential role in expanding tourism in Nagaland, and for those who visit it, it is always a haven of calm and paradise, worth remembering till their last breath.
