THE TRAGIC TALES OF BUAYA SANGKUT & UPEH GULING
The legends of Buaya Sangkut and Upeh Guling are about 2
breathtaking waterfalls located along the main river that forms the backbone of
the Endau Rompin State Park.
The Upeh Guling waterfall comprises of a four stepped
cascade of water that derives its name from an ancient Orang Asli (Aborigine)
legend. According to the enduring legend, the waterfall was named after a young
Orang Asli named Upeh. One day Upeh met with a fatal accident. As he was about
to cross the river at one end of the waterfall, he saw his fiancée. He slipped
upon turing and rolled ( guling) down the cascading slope and died at the foot of
the falls. Hence, the reason the waterfall was named Upeh Guling.
Similarly, Buaya Sangkut tells the tales of a beautiful five
stepped waterfall that is as mysterious as its name. Based on the Orang Asli
legend, a women gave birth to a baby girl but was haunted by a dream of a
crocodile ( buaya) that was coming to kill her daughter. Believing the dream
was an omen, the woman and her family moved uphill to prevent this catastrophe.
Nevertheless, the crocodile managed to follow them. To protect their baby girl
the woman’s husband summoned a python to kill the crocodile. This led to a
fierce fight where both python and crocodile were killed. The husband relieved
at the outcome, lynched the crocodile’s skin and hung it on a wall.
Unfortunately, a few days later it fell on their daughter and killed her
anyway.
Till this very day, many believe, that the crocodile shaped
stone that can be seen at the foot of the falls when the water level is low, is
the same crocodile recounted in the legend.
Today, tourist can visit there magnificent waterfalls if
they make their way to the Endau Rompin State Park. The Upeh Guling waterfall ,
located midway to the Buaya Sangkut waterfall, has a series of whirlpools
formed by ancient volcanic rocks, supposed to be the oldest existing landmark
in Malaysia at 240 million years old. Upeh Guling is a great place for a
refreshing swim and picnic. The awesome Buaya Sangkut waterfall requires a
testing six hour trek from the Visitors Control Centre along Sungai Jasin or
Jasin River. Experiencing the force and wonderment of this 40 meter wide fall
gushing a million gallons of roaring water from a drop of 120 meters, makes
every effort worthwhile.
Endau –Rompin State Park is the second designated national
park of Malaysia within numerous exotic and newly identified species of flora
and fauna. Permits must be obtained before entering this nature reserve.
Visitors to Endau Rompin State Park have 4 campsites to choose from located
Kuala Jasin, Batu Hampar, Upeh Guling and Kuala Marong.
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