The Legend Of Kolam PutriOnce there were two kingdoms around Gunung or Mount Bintan in the Islands of

Riau namely Melayu and Kayangan. Formerly peoples of the two kingdoms lived side-by-

side in harmony peacefully, but when Princess Bidasari, the daughter of Sang Dewa the King

of Kayangan, came to her age, then a big problem soon emerged. Many Princess of the two

kingdoms were eager to marry the very beautiful princess. Accordingly the two kingdoms

were put in a hostile condition. In order to avoid war between Melayu and Kayangan, Sang

Dewa decided to move the kingdom of Kayangan and build a new palace in a hidden place at

the top of Gunung Bintan. A pool filled with clear water was also built to keep golden fish,

the favorit pet of Bidasari.

One day, Sang Dewa declared an announcement saying that any prince who could

successfully find the whereabouts of Bidasari, her daughter, would marry the beautiful

princess of Kayangan. But soon after he announced the competition, Sang Dewa disappeared.

Among so many princess who took part in the competition to search Princess Bidasari, there

were two princess one was from the Melayu Kingdom and the other from Kayangan who at

the same time successfully found Princess Bidasari. The princess was very upset and unable

to decide, which of the two princess to be her husband. To solve the problem she told to the

two princess to follow her to climb up steep stairs, Bidasari said to the two princess" Neither

of you will be my husband/. Now let me dive into the water and be the owner of the pool!"

To their astonishment, the two princess witnessed Bidasari plunge herself into the pool and

instantly take the form of a very beautiful forbidden fish.

Sang Dewa declared that the pool would be called "Kolam Putri" or "The Princess

Pond". From that time on the "Kolam Putri" has produced drinking water for the people of

Gunung Bintan and the surroundings.