Joysagar

The Joysagar is a lake that is situated on the fringes of the town of Sibsagar in Assam. The lake is not a natural one but was created by one of the Ahom rulers. The lake is reputed to be one of the largest man made lakes of the country.

The lake of Joysagar spreads over a sprawling area of 318 acres. The lake is situated in the old capital city of the Ahom Kings, Rangpur, which lies at the distance of 5 kilometers from Sibsagar. The watery lake was created by the King Rudra Singha who ruled in the 17th century. The lake is named after the King's mother, Her Highness Queen Joymoti. The folklore of the region has it that the queen was tortured to death in the nearby region of Jerenga Pothar. The lake was created by her son after he ascended the throne and dedicated in the memory of the queen mother.

At the eastern end of the lake lies the temple of Joydol constructed in the year 1698. The lake is bound by two other temples called the Shivadol and the Devidol. The architecture of the temples is representative of the art and architecture of the Ahom rulers of the state of Assam. The architecture present in the carvings of the temple is similar to the architecture of the temples of the southern states of India. The temple lies near the lake in its present deplorable condition.

Joysagar is known for its historical features and is a commonly visited tourist spot in the state of Assam.

Last Updated on 10 May 2011