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Situated on Pulau
Dayang Bunting, south of Pulau Langkawi, is Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake
of the Pregnant Maiden). It is believed that barren women who drink from
the lake will be able to conceive. It is also said to be the inspiration
behind the magical tale of "Puteri (Princess) Dayang Sari": Legend has
it that the picturesque lake was the celestial Princess's and her entourage's
favorite bathing spot. On one of their visits, they were spotted by a
human prince, "Putera Teja", who of course fell desperately in love with
the princess. Teja wooed her with poetry and songs of mythical legends
but to no avail. The anguished prince then sought the advice of a wise
man, who told him that the princess was under a spell. To break that spell,
he had to obtain mermaid's tears. Undaunted, the prince laid in wait and
by a stoke of luck, a group of mermaids ventured from the sea to cavort
on the beach. The passion driven prince persuaded the mermaids to play
with a golden ball. So engrossed were they in their game that the forgot
the time and the fast receding tide. Later, angered and ashamed by their
own folly, they wept. Gleefully, the prince collected their tears in a
golden bowl. With the spell broken, the prince won the princess' heart
and they were soon wedded. However, because of the prince's unscrupulous
methods, their first child died shortly after birth. By then, the princess
had realized the consequences of her husband's actions. The much agitated
princess returned to the heavens leaving the baby in her much beloved
lake. Before leaving, however, the princess blessed the waters with the
power of fertility. Henceforth, childless couples would be rewarded if
they drank from or bathed in the lake.
An alternative story
is the tragedy of the beautiful court maiden, "Telani", her warrior prince
suitor, "Telanai", and their forbidden love affair. Telani was banished
to the deserted island of Dayang Bunting, where she gave birth to a son.
Longing to see his son, Telanai sailed towards the island but wrathful
gods sent a huge clap of thunder crashing down to earth. This startled
the sleeping baby who fell into the water. Telani's efforts to save her
child were in vain, and as the heartbroken mother wept, an ethereal of
mist shrouded the lake. When it finally cleared, a rock stood on the spot
where Telani had been. Telanai had also been transformed into an island,
separated by a narrow strip of water from his beloved. In between the
two, a white crocodile now swims. Locals have deemed it the reincarnation
of the couple's lost child. Whatever the myth or legend, couples today
continue to visit the lake to send flower petals skimming over the water
surface, in appreciation of the lake's magical powers.
 The
Payar group of islands lies approximately 16 nautical miles south of Langkawi
and 15 nauticla miles west of Kuala Kedah located at the mainland. The
islands comprises of Pulau Payar, Pulau Kaca, Pulau Lembu and Pulau Segantang
which are all gazetted marine park.
Located at the opening
of the Straits of Malacca towards the Andaman sea, the visibility of the
waters are exceptionally clear thus making it one of the premier dives
and snorkelling sites in Peninsula Malaysia.
Visitors to the
island will definitely marvel at the diversity of the marine life here
and also the enchanting coral reefs. Just go for a swim, snorkel and dive
or simply lie back and relax on the sandy beach. There are two hiking
trails in Pulau Payar where one can explore its fascinating terrestrial
flora and fauna.
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