The 'Swallowing Lake' of Mizoram

Nov7,2023

Also known as the Pala Tipo in Mara Language, meaning swallowing lake, is the largest and the biggest lake in Mizoram

Palak Dil

According to oral history Palak Dil is said to be formed around 800-1200 CE. It coincided with the period of westward migration of Mara people from Burma.

Formation

According to Mara legend the location area was originally a big village called Hnychao. There were about 300 families. 

Legend of Palak Dil

At the center of the village was a large rock, underneath of which was a cave inhabited by a giant serpent. Villagers soon noticed that children playing around the rock frequently disappeared. 

Folklore

The village hunters caught the serpent using a gigantic fishing pole, and using a goat (or dog in other version) as a bait. From this point there are two versions

Folklore continues

They killed the snake and the meat was distributed to all families. A widow with two children happened to get a share of the head. When she cooked it, the eyes were blinking and rolling, staring at her.

Version 1

Frightened, she threw the cooking pot into the street. When she looked out, their doorstep was being flooded and fled for life with her children. 

Version 1 continues

The pool rose to a lake submerging the entire habitation and drowning the rest of the villagers. The lake was eventually called Pala Tipo

Version 1 continues

In an alternate version, when they caught the snake they could not completely haul out its body and cut it in the middle.  Thus forming the lake

Version 2