THE KIND PRINCESS AT PRINCESS HILL
The name Bukit Puteri or Princess Hill, located at the mouth
of Terengganu River, has many fascinating origins. Many claim the hill was
named after a Bunian (forest elf) Princess that used to reside there.
Local legend recounts in the past, villagers would visit the
elfin princess to borrow her gold and silver plates and pots in order to hold
engagement and marriage feasts or kenduri. Unfortunately, many never returned
her precious pots and plates and some even broke them. Disgusted with their
carelessness and greed, the elfin Princess left for Bukit Bintang in Besur district, north of Kuala Terengganu.
Others say that Princess Hill is named after the seven
benevolent elfin princesses that lived on the hill. They are the same elfin
princesses summoned in the haunting ancient melody, Ulek Mayang. Believed to
possess immense supernatural powers, their assistance was constantly sought after
the locals. Till today, locals maintain upon reaching the top, visitors can
inhale the lingering sweet scent of the princesses.
Someday the hill’s name was bestowed by a Johor Chieftain,
Tuk Raja Menteri who came to install Sultan Zainal Abidin I, the younger
brother of former Sultan of Johor, as the first Sultan of Terengganu in early
18th century. It is also believed that the Bukit Puteri fort, atop
the hill, built by Baginda or King Umar in 1830 to defend the state, was
cemented with honey, egg whites and chalk. The fort can still be seen till
today.
Besides holding a magnificent view of the capital city and
the South China Sea, the fort also bears several significant relics. Among them
are a huge copper bell called Genta, only to be pealed by biys of royal
household; a royal flagpole of 18 metres in height and various ancient cannons
named according to their characters and guardian spirits.
Among them are the
Seri Jamlor cannon and the Meriam Beranak or Family Cannons consisting of the
Seri Johor and the Seri Bueh cannos. There is also a crevice nearby known as
Gua Puteri or Princess Cave, which was used to store gunpowder and iron
bullets. Still, according to local legend, it
is also the place the Bunian Princess kept her gold and silver pots and
plates.
The Princess Hill is among the local’s favourite spots for a
gentle walk with a breathtaking view .Opens to the public daily from 9am to
5pm.
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