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Saturday, June 11, 2011
The Magical Lake Of The Pregnant Maiden
Another prominent Langkawi legend is a story of a pregnant maiden or Dayang
Bunting. The legend is intricately intertwined with the amorous exploit of
Mat Teja, a male genie, and Mambang Sari, a beautiful female sprite.
Mambang Sari and her maids loved to frolic at a cove called Teluk Lawak.
One day, as he was passing through, Mat Teja caught a glimpse of Mambang Sari
and was struck by her beauty that he instantaneously fell passionately in love.
Fearing his love might not be reciprocated he sought Tok Dian’s advice, the local
sage (Dian is old Malay for candle). To win her heart, Tok Dian informed Mat
Teja to wipe his face with mermaid tears.
After following the instructions diligently,Mat Teja swiftly sought after the love of
his life. When Mambang Sari saw him,she fell in love immediately and before
long, they were happily married.During her pregnancy, Mambang
Sari sojourned at a serene lake, now famously known as Tasik Dayang Bunting
or Lake of the Pregnant Maiden. Soon it was time for Mambang Sari to give birth
but the baby died seven days later. In intense sorrow, she laid the body to rest
in the deep lake. Since then, villagers began to associate the lake with magical
powers. They believed the lake’s water possessesed mystical ability of healing
barren women.
As time went on, another legend that is closely connected to the magical
powers of the lake emerged. A powerful King came with his hunting entourage.
Upon reaching the lake, Dayang Telani,the King’s maid drank from it. Suddenly,
tempestuous wind, thunder and lightning raged across the land. Soon after, Dayang Telani was expecting but the King was furious because her child was not
naturally conceived. As a punishment, she was sent to reside alone at the lake and
there she gave birth to a handsome boy.
One day, she spotted a boat and as she longingly looked on, her toddler
accidentally drowned in the lake. In her distress, Dayang Telani pleaded with the
magical force of the lake to save her boy and take her instead. Immediately, at the
very spot the boy drowned, emerged a white crocodile and Dayang Telani was
instantly transformed into a rock, now known as Batu Dayang or Maiden Stone,
which looks like the shape of a maiden lying on her back. Locals also believe
the white crocodile occasionally seen guarding the lake is actually Dayang
Telani’s son. Though many have allegedly caught sight of the white crocodile, it is
held that only the pure and innocent may do so.
Located in an island south of Langkawi, Tasik Dayang Bunting is Langkawi’s largest freshwater lake.Equipped with modern conveniences, the
lake is a cool and enjoyable destination for picnics, water biking, swimming,
canoeing or just basking in the lushness of its surrounding beauty.
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11:34 AM
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