BAGENDIT LAKE, GARUT

This tourism object has its own charm, from its nature potentials and also its folktales that make this Situ Bagendit so legendary. It would be a great loss if you miss the visit to this place when you are in Garut
At My first visit, I felt like in a Wonderland. But it wasn’t alike with”Alice in Wonderland”, it is Bagendit Lake or Situ Bagendit made in Garut, West Java. This big lake which was located on 124 hectares area seemed to transfer positive energy to us, Tourism n Health team when we rested on our rainy trip.
This wide lake was so beautiful, especially after the mist went down, covering the surface. Unfortunately, I enjoyed this enchantment all by my selft, without my lover in my side. The name Situ Bagendit derived from local people legend. Situ means a small lake, and Bagendit was derived from the name of a rich widow. Mrs. Endit was the name, she was a greed, desirous, and domineering person in her village. Counting all her wealth which is growing day by day was all she did to spend her days.

One day, an old beggar came for a help to her. For she was so gready, she expelled the old beggar from her sight. Not even for charity, she even was very careful to spend her money for her own needs.
Then, it turned out that the old beggar was actually not an ordinary person. He was and old man with magical power. For her greediness, the old beggar gave her a lesson. The old beggar stocked his stick in Mrs. Endit’s field. Seeing this action, Mrs. Endit went angry and then she grabbed the stick and pulled it back from her field.

Suddenly, a great amount of water flowed from the ground and flooded her house and all her wealth. Finally, it became a lake and it was named after Mrs. Endit name… Situ Bagendit. It was not difficult to reach this place, the contour of the roads surface was smooth all the way from Garut to Situ Bagendit. It made all kinds of transportation to be able to get there.
It was said that Situ Bagendit was used to be a practice field and Dutch headquarters. This place also became a tourism destination for people from Garut and visitors outside from Garut as well. “in 1919, this place used to be a Dutch practice field and headquarters under the Commander Mr. Bochles. Usually, the visitors who came here were aimed to try rafting and enjoy the natural climate as well”, explained Aan Heryana, the head of UPTD to Health n Tourism.

Several rafts made from Bamboo with colorful roof and seats attracted our attention. We couldn’t wait for exploring the lake with the raft.
When we arrived there, there wasn’t too crowded since it was a working day. “It would be different in weekends or in public holiday, the number of the visitors would be three times bigger”, said Dayat, the raft boat oar.

It was amazing scenery. With tall mountains covered with clouds as the background, it really brought warmth to our hearts. Not only raft boat, you could also choose a small boat in canoe or swan shape to enjoy the scenery in Situ Bagendit. The romantic atmosphere was often used by couples who fell in love to express their love to their partner.

The other object that you could use was the mini train which was available to entertain your children. Unfortunately, the track was not long and boring since it only a short and round track. If the track was surrounding the Situ Bagendit, it was definitely tempting to try.

“Situ Bagendit actually has the potentials as superior tourism product from Garut if it is seriously managed. If the Government still run the business, then it would stay the same like now”, said Aan. And there was one more interesting thing in Situ Bagendit, it was the sunset. Enjoying sunset on the raft boat would definitely give special nuance to all visitors. ES
source : Tourism and Health Magazine