The KIND PRINCESSES At Princess Hill
TERENGGANU. Discover the treasures of exotic Terengganu, a state rich in Malay heritage, blessed with an abundance of sun-drenched lush islands, betowed with a wealth of invigorating natural adventure sites and a myriad of colourful traditional pursuits that include batik printing and songket weaving. Its coastal capital, Kuala Terengganu, is both the royal and largest city in Terengganu offering numerous charming facilities of modern and traditional fusion.
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 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 Besut 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 by the locals. Till today, locals maintain upon reaching the top, visitors can inhale the lingering sweet scent of the princesses.
Some say the hill’s name was bestowed by a Johor Chieftain, Tuk Raja Menteri who came to install Sultan Zainal Abidin I, the youngest 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 white 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 boys 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 cannons. There are 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.
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