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 Kelantan,
apart from its age old culture and traditions, is rich with
her legends or myths. Among the much well-known legends are
that of Che Siti Wan Kembang and Putri Saadong.
Che Siti, great warrior
Queen of Kelantan during the 14th century or 17th century
was reputed to be a saint bestowed with spiritual powers.
It was said that in 1345, the famous Muslim traveller, Ibnu
Batutah, visited Her Royal Highness, who was also known as
Urduga.
 It was during this
time also that Arab traders presented a Kijang
(a barking deer or Indian muntjac) to the legendary Queen
of Kelantan. The legendary Queen loved her pet so much that
she had coins minted
with the Kijang inscribed in them.
  The
Kijang was then adopted as the State Crest of Kelantan in
1916. The kijang was also adopted by Bank Negara Malaysia
(Central Bank of Malaysia) as its official logo in 1964.
 The story
of Che Siti Wan Kembang is often associated with the youngest
daughter of Sultan Jembal, Putri Saadong or Mariam, whom the
legendary Queen brought her up in the mystical surroundings
of Bukit Marak, after Putri Saadong's mother passed on.
It was
believed that it was Che Siti who gave away Putri Saadong's
hand in marriage to Raja Abdullah when the princess was only
15 years old. Shortly after her marriage, Putri Saadong was
forced to abandon her husband, due to the constant harassment
of the King of Siam. She left Bukit Marak with the King of
Siam to spare her husband's life. Raja Abdullah vowed to wait
for her return and never to remarry.
After
years of waiting, Raja Abdullah remarried. When Putri Saadong
returned to Bukit Marak to find Raja Abdullah remarried, a
quarrel ensured. It was believed that Putri Saadong, overwhelmed
with rage, killed Raja Abdullah with her hair pin.
After
the incident, Putri Saadong left Bukit Marak and subsequently
disappeared. Raja Abdullah's tomb can still be seen at Padang
Halban, Melor in the district of Bachok.
Visitors
to Bukit Marak can still visit the famous pool where Putri
Saadong once bathed. It is also believed that at the peak
of Bukit Marak, exist three unique stones, which resembled
a favourite musical instrument of the Princess.
As for
the Legendary Queen, legend has it that Che Siti never died
but instead "disappeared" into the mystical world
and reappeared between the end of the 16th century and the
middle of 17th century.
Prior
to her "disappearance", Che Siti Wan Kembang, the
legendary Queen of Kelantan was said to have meditated at
Gunung Chita Wangsa in Ulu Kelantan where according to local
natives,
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