Kota Gelanggi Caves

Situated around 25 km from the town of Jerantut, these legendary caves are full of its own history. The caves here are known with ‘kota' in their names such as Kota Tongkat, Kota Kepayang, Kota Rehut, Kota Gelap, Kota Angin, Kota Jin and Kota Balai. The Kota Gelanggi Caves are often connected with orang bunian (invisible people/spirits) and Sang Kelembai. There are many rocks there in shapes of a couple getting married, snakes, lions and etc. They are linked to Sang Kelembai's curses. According to Malay folklore, Sang Kelembai was a creature who had supernatural powers that could put a curse on anything and turn them into stones. According to research done by the National Museum in 1981, there were proof that artefacts found in the caves were from pre-historic times.

There were historians that stated in olden times the caves were a large kingdom. The caves were believed to be the hiding place for Maharaja Dewa Sura when he was hunted by the Malacca army during the 15th Century. Pahang's warriors, Mat Kilau and Tok Gajah also was said to have seeked shelter and meditated in these caves. The name Gelanggi originated from a Siamese word – Klang Kio or Gelang Gio. At that time, the place was believed to be of interest to the Siamese. Legend had it that the area was ruled by King Gelanggi who had a beautiful princess. The princess was proposed marriage by the son of King Mambang of Lipis. However, the princess met the son of King Usul of Bera while hunting and they fell in love and agreed to marry. Upon hearing of this news, King Mambang's son attacked King Usul's son. King Mambang's son was killed by King Usul's son in the fight. King Usul's son then married Puteri Gelanggi.