MOUNT JERAI'S MYSTICAL MYTHS AND LEGENDS

Mount Jerai (Gunung Jerai) in Kedah is one of Malaysia’s most mystical landmarks. Because it stands isolated on a flat plain and was once an island (Pulau Serai), it has served as a beacon for sailors and a center for spiritual legends for over a thousand years.

Here are the most prominent myths and legends surrounding Mount Jerai:

1. The Legend of Raja Bersiong (The Fanged King)

Perhaps the most famous legend of Kedah, Raja Bersiong was a king of the ancient Bujang Valley civilization at the foot of the mountain.

• The Bloodlust: Legend says a cook accidentally cut his finger while preparing the king’s favorite spinach curry. The king found the dish unusually delicious and demanded to know why. Upon discovering it contained human blood, he developed a craving for it.
• The Fangs: As he continued to consume human blood, sharp fangs grew from his jaw.
• The Flight: Eventually, his subjects revolted against his cruelty. He is said to have fled to Mount Jerai and hidden in the thick forests. Local folklore suggests he eventually pulled out his fangs and threw them away (giving name to places like Baling), or that his spirit still haunts the mountain.

2. Sang Kelembai and Batu Kapal (The Stone Ship)

High on the mountain sits a massive boulder known as Batu Kapal, which remarkably resembles the hull of a capsized ship.

• The Curse: According to myth, this was once the actual ship of Maharaja Merong Mahawangsa. It was turned to stone by Sang Kelembai, a giant or forest spirit in Malay folklore who possessed the power to turn anything she spoke to into stone.
• Spiritual Warning: Elders often warn visitors not to point or speak loudly near the rock, as the "spirits of the ship" might take offense.

3. The Kingdom of the Orang Bunian

Mount Jerai is widely considered one of the primary gateways to the realm of the Orang Bunian (supernatural "hidden people").

• The Invisible City: Hikers and locals have long reported seeing grand wooden palaces or smelling fragrant scents in the middle of the deep forest, only for them to vanish seconds later.
• Missing Persons: There are numerous urban legends about hikers who went missing for days, only to reappear claiming they were "guests" at a beautiful wedding or in a magnificent village that doesn't exist on any map.

4. Padang Tok Sheikh and the First Azan

Near the peak is a clearing called Padang Tok Sheikh, named after Sheikh Abdullah bin Sheikh Ahmad bin Sheikh Jaafar Qumiri.

• The Conversion: In the 12th century, Tok Sheikh is said to have converted the 9th King of Kedah (Maharaja Derbar Raja) to Islam.
• The Sacred Well: It is believed that the first Azan (call to prayer) in the Malay Peninsula was performed at this spot. Nearby, the Telaga Tok Sheikh (Tok Sheikh’s Well) is a sacred site where the water is said to never run dry and possess healing properties.

5. Guardians and Sacred Plants

• Guardian Spirits: Locals believe the mountain is guarded by ancient deities or "Penunggu." It is common for hikers to ask for "permission" before entering the forest to avoid getting lost or "teased" by spirits.
• Mystical Herbs: Botanists have noted that Jerai has unique flora not found on the mainland. Mythologically, these are believed to be the medicinal garden of the bunian or ancient shamans, and it is said that certain "magical" herbs can only be found by those with a pure heart.

BUJANG VALLEY

The Bujang Valley (Lembah Bujang) is the richest archaeological site in Malaysia, proving that a highly sophisticated, multi-ethnic civilization existed at the foot of Mount Jerai long before the Melaka Sultanate.

Recent discoveries—including some as recent as late 2023 and 2024—have significantly pushed back the timeline of Malay history, suggesting the area was a global industrial hub as far back as 2,000 to 2,500 years ago.

1. Sungai Batu: The "Iron City" of Ancient Kedah

The discovery of the Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex (just 6km from the main museum) changed everything.

• Oldest in Southeast Asia: Excavations revealed iron-smelting sites and a clay brick monument dating as far back as 110 AD, with some carbon dating suggesting activity as early as 788 BC. This makes it older than Angkor Wat and Borobudur.
• Global Industrial Hub: Archaeologists found dozens of iron-smelting furnaces and tuyeres (nozzles for blowing air into furnaces). The quality of iron produced here was of "global standard" and was exported to the Roman Empire and China.
• The Ancient Jetty: Remnants of a brick jetty along a dried-up river branch show that large merchant ships once sailed directly into the valley to trade.

2. The 2023-2024 Discovery: Bukit Choras Stupa

In late 2023 and mid-2024, a major breakthrough occurred at Bukit Choras, a small hill north of the main valley:

• Life-sized Buddha Statues: Two remarkably well-preserved, life-sized stucco statues of Buddha were unearthed. Stucco (a type of plaster) was previously thought to be rare in this region, typically found in Java or India.
• Unstuck in Time: This site is estimated to be 1,200 years old (approx. 8th or 9th century AD). The discovery is unique because it was found "in situ" (undisturbed), providing a rare look at Ancient Kedah’s religious sophistication.

3. The "Candi" (Ancient Temples)

More than 50 temple ruins (called candi) have been identified throughout the valley.

• Candi Bukit Batu Pahat: The most famous and largest temple, built around the 6th century AD. It was a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, evidenced by the discovery of stone reliquaries and gold foil images of Nandi (the sacred bull).
• Architectural Mix: The temples show a blend of Pallava (South Indian) and local indigenous architecture, proving that the local population didn't just "copy" foreign styles but adapted them.

4. Trade Artifacts: The "Maritime Silk Road"

The artifacts found in the valley confirm it was a "crossroads of the world":

• Beads: Thousands of "Indo-Pacific" glass beads were found, showing the valley was a major bead-manufacturing center.
• Ceramics: Pottery and ceramics from the Chinese Tang and Song dynasties, as well as glassware from the Middle East (Persia), have been recovered.
• Inscriptions: The Buddhagupta Inscription (found in the 1800s) and various stone tablets in Sanskrit/Pallava script indicate that Buddhist monks and Indian traders were regular residents.

Summary of Timeline & Significance

Period	Key Significance
788 BC – 2nd Century AD	Early iron-smelting and proto-industrial activity at Sungai Batu.
2nd – 10th Century AD	Peak as a major port (Kataha) mentioned in Chinese, Indian, and Greek records.
11th Century AD	Attacked by the South Indian Chola Empire; later shifts toward the Melaka Sultanate era.

Google Gemini AI

22 January 2026: 9.32 p.m

MAHSURI'S CURSE AND 7TH DESCENDANT

The legend of Mahsuri is one of Malaysia’s most enduring mysteries. According to folklore, Mahsuri was a beautiful woman in 18th-century Langkawi who was wrongfully accused of adultery. As she was executed, she cursed the island to suffer seven generations of misfortune.

The "mystery" of the 7th descendant centers on the search for the individual who would finally break this curse.

The Legend and the Curse

• The Accusation: Mahsuri was accused of infidelity while her husband, a warrior named Wan Darus, was away at war.
• The Execution: Legend says that no weapon could pierce her skin until she told her executioners to use her family’s ceremonial keris. When she was stabbed, she bled white blood, proving her innocence.
• The Curse: With her dying breath, she declared: "For this act of injustice, Langkawi shall not prosper for seven generations."
• The Aftermath: Shortly after, Langkawi was invaded by the Siamese, and for decades, the island remained a desolate backwater plagued by failed crops and fires (most famously the "Field of Burnt Rice").

The Search for the 7th Descendant

In the 1980s, as Langkawi was being developed into a major tourist destination, many locals believed the "seven generations" were coming to an end. The Malaysian government and historians began a quest to find Mahsuri's living descendants, who had fled to Thailand generations ago.

The 7th Descendant	Details
Name	Wan Aishah Wan Nawawi (Thai name: Sirintra Yayee)
Discovery	Found in a small village in Phuket, Thailand, in the late 1990s.
Validation	Her family lineage was traced back to Mahsuri’s son, Wan Hakem.
Breaking the Curse	She first visited Langkawi in 2000 at age 14. Her arrival was symbolically seen as the official lifting of the curse.

Where are they now?

The mystery transitioned into modern history as Wan Aishah became a minor celebrity.

• Wan Aishah: She is now in her late 30s, married, and has a son (the 8th generation). She occasionally visits Langkawi, and her visits still draw significant media attention as a reminder of the island's folklore.
• Langkawi Today: Since the late 1980s (roughly when the 7th generation reached adulthood), Langkawi’s economy has exploded, transforming from a quiet fishing island into a world-class duty-free tourism hub. Many locals credit this prosperity to the expiration of Mahsuri's curse.

Google Gemini AI

22 January 2026: 10.09 a.m

KEDAH FOLKLORE: PUTERI LINDUNGAN BULAN

The legend of Puteri Lindungan Bulan (The Moon-Shielded Princess) is one of Kedah’s most haunting and beloved folklores. It is a tale of a father’s protective love, a daughter’s sacrifice, and a supernatural phenomenon that supposedly lingers to this day.

Here is the story of the princess who "vanished" into the light.

The Legend of Puteri Zaleha

Centuries ago, during the reign of Sultan Sulaiman Shah, there lived a princess of extraordinary beauty named Puteri Zaleha. She was the younger of two sisters; her elder sister was named Puteri Mariam.

Legend says that Puteri Zaleha possessed a mystical quality: her blood was white, a sign of her nobility and purity.

1. The Proposal from Acheh

The fame of Zaleha’s beauty reached the Sultan of Acheh (in modern-day Indonesia). He sent an envoy to Kedah to ask for her hand in marriage. However, Sultan Sulaiman Shah was deeply protective of Zaleha and feared losing her.

Instead of sending Zaleha, the Sultan attempted a deception. He sent her elder sister, Puteri Mariam, to Acheh instead.

2. The Discovery and the War

When the Sultan of Acheh discovered he had been deceived, he was humiliated and enraged. He launched a massive naval invasion against Kedah to claim Puteri Zaleha by force.

As the Achenese forces closed in on the palace at Kota Siputeh, Sultan Sulaiman Shah realized he could not protect his daughter through traditional combat.

3. The "Shielding" of the Princess

According to the folklore, the Sultan took Zaleha to a secret underground chamber (some versions say a fortified room) to hide her. He prayed for her safety, asking that she be hidden from the eyes of the invaders.

When the Achenese soldiers finally stormed the palace, a miracle occurred. Even though they searched every room and corner, they could not see the princess. It was as if she was shielded by a divine light—the light of the moon.

The Tragic End

The story has two common endings, both tinged with sadness:

• The Sacrifice: In one version, Puteri Zaleha remained in her hiding spot for so long that she eventually passed away from a lack of air or food, choosing death over being captured by the enemy.
• The Vanishing: In more mystical versions, she simply vanished into the light, becoming a guardian spirit of the land.

The name "Lindungan Bulan" translates to "Protected by the Moon," referring to the lunar glow that supposedly masked her from her captors.

Legacy and Landmarks

The folklore isn't just a story; it is tied to physical locations in Kedah that you can visit today:

• Makam Puteri Lindungan Bulan: Located at Kota Siputeh in Kubang Pasu, Kedah. It is a quiet, revered tomb where the princess is said to be buried.
• White Blood Symbolism: In Malay culture, "Darah Putih" (White Blood) is a recurring motif in legends (like Mahsuri of Langkawi) representing innocence and divine favor.

KOTA SIPUTEH

Kota Siputeh is a historical site of immense importance in Kedah, located near the town of Padang Sera in the Kubang Pasu district. More than just a village, it was once the ancient capital of the Kedah Sultanate and the central stage for the tragic legend of Puteri Lindungan Bulan.

1. The History of Kota Siputeh

• Center of Power: The fort was built by Tunku Ahmad (the Raja Muda of Kedah) under the orders of Sultan Mahmud Shah I. It served as the administrative center and capital of the Kedah Sultanate for nearly 300 years (roughly from 1323 to 1619).
• Defensive Fort: It was designed as a high-ground fortification to protect the kingdom. However, it eventually fell to the forces of the Sultanate of Acheh under Sultan Iskandar Muda in 1619, leading to the capture of the reigning Sultan and his consort.

2. Connection to the Legend

Kota Siputeh is the specific setting where the "shielding" of the princess took place:

• The Hidden Bunker: When Achenese troops breached the city walls, Sultan Sulaiman Shah hid Puteri Zaleha in a secret underground chamber or bunker to prevent her from being taken as a war prize.
• The Lunar Mystery: Folklore tells that even though the moon was full and bright, its light could not penetrate or illuminate the princess’s hiding spot. She remained invisible to the invaders, earning her the title Lindungan Bulan (Protected by the Moon).

3. The Tomb of Puteri Lindungan Bulan

The most significant landmark remaining today is the royal tomb:

• Location: It is situated atop a small hill (about 15 meters high) in Kampung Siputeh, Kodiang.
• Architecture: The tomb features large, ornate gravestones in the Acheh style. There are four pairs of gravestones, suggesting the site holds the remains of two people: believed to be Puteri Zaleha and her father, Sultan Sulaiman Shah II.
• Aura of Mystery: Local villagers still speak of the area's mystical nature, claiming that the exact spot where the princess lay hidden remains naturally shaded or "cool" even during the brightest nights.

4. Kota Siputeh Today

Today, the site is a quiet reminder of Kedah's ancient past:

• Heritage Site: Maintained by the Kedah State Museum Board, the tomb and the surrounding ruins of the old fort are preserved as a historical heritage site.
• Atmosphere: Visitors often note that the site offers a panoramic view of the vast Kedah paddy fields, providing a serene backdrop to the tragic story.

Google Gemini AI

20 January 2026: 4.10 p.m

HOTEL MEMORIES (KEDAH)

2012: HOTEL SERI MALAYSIA, ALOR SETAR, KEDAH

Alor Setar Heart Week 2012 took place at the Star Parade Shopping Complex in Alor Setar from 3-8 July 2012.

Throughout the program, my colleagues from the Malaysian Heart Foundation and I stayed at the Seri Malaysia Hotel in Alor Setar. The hotel located in the heart of Alor Setar, strategically positioned near the State Stadium Complex. An affordable, budget-friendly accomodation option for travelers. 

The hotel owned by the state government and is part of a national chain offering  accesible lodging. The hotel was located central to Alor Setar town, with easy access to attractions like the Sultan Abdul Halim Gallery. Masjid Zahir, Alor Setar Tower, the birthplace of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the Balai Nobat etc. 

2012/2013: TERAP INN,KUALA NERANG, KEDAH

Terap Inn is a hotel located in Kuala Nerang, Kedah. It is owned by the Padang Terap District Council. 

The Inn is currently known as OYO 44033 Terap Inn Kuala Nerang and offers standar hotel amenities. 

My colleagues and I stayed at this hotel during the Health Screening Program organized by the Malaysian Heart Foundation at the UMNO Hall in Kuala Nerang, Kedah on 22 September 2012. The following year on 2013, we stayed at this same hotel for our program at FELDA Lubok Merbau on 5 January 2013 and Dewan Orang ramai at Naka, Kedah on 6 January 2013.  

2013: D'AMAN HOMESTAY, GUAR CHEMPEDAK, KEDAH

During the Health Screening program at SMK Agama Yan in Yan, Kedah on 7-8 January 2013, we stayed at D'Aman Homestay, Taman Desa Aman located in Guar Chempedak, Kedah which is owned by one of the teachers at SMK Agama Yan.

2013: KULIM INN, BANDAR KULIM, KEDAH

Kulim Inn is situated on Jalan Bukit Alwi in Bandar Kulim in Kulim, Kedah, a strategic location near the town center. 

Highlighted for having an outdoor swimming pool and ample parking. My colleagues from YJM and I stayed at Kulim Inn during the Health Screening Program held at SMJK Chio Min, Kulim, Kedah on 29 December 2013.

Today it is known as OYO 89486 Kulim Inn, managed under the OYO budget hotel brand. 

2014 / 2017: D'VISTA HOTEL, SUNGAI PETANI, KEDAH

My colleagues from YJM and I stayed at D'Vista Hotel in Sungai Petani during our Health Programme held at Central Square Sungai Petani (2014) and at MSU College Sungai Petani (2017).

Today, D'Vista Hotel at Sungai Petani has been rebranded as Merilton Hotel.

2014: D'VISTA HOTEL

2017: D'VISTA SG PETANI

These are my memories of staying at hotels in the state of Kedah.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

15 December 2025: 1.37 a.m