The Legend of Dewi Lanjar

(The Queen of The North Sea of Java)

Long time ago in Pekalongan, Central Java, there lived a beautiful princes named Dewi Rara
Kuning. She was the most beautiful girl at that time. Every people who met her will be amazed
because of her charm. But she had a bad day every day. She always sad and depressed because of
the death of her husband. And she became a widow in her young age.

Because of that, many people deride and seduced her and they called her as Dewi Lanjar
(Lanjar means the young widow who has no child). Dewi Lanjar still in her depression. She thought
it will be bad if she did not move on.

“I can’t continue this suffer. I must end all of those pain. But how?” Dewi Lanjar thought
and thought, then she find the way. “It’ll be better if I leave this village, and I’ll start my new life
without any pain.”

Dewi Lanjar left her village with tears. She walked and walked alone followed the river.
Finally she arrived in the river named “Kali Opak”. She found the king of Mataram, Panembanan
Senopati and his patih or minister, Singaranu who were imprisoned on the river. And she told them
about her problems. She also said that she will never marry again. Panembanan Senopati and Patih
Singaranu were touched and compassion with Dewi Lanjar. And Panembanan Senopatih gave
advice to her to be imprisoned and to meet The Queen of The South Sea, Nyi Roro Kidul. Time
has passed, day after day she passed, and finally they have to be separated and continued their own
way.

Dewi lanjar arrived in the south sea and she looked for the comfort place to mediate. Due
diligence on what was ordered by Penambanan Senopatih, finally she could moksa (disappear) and
she could meet The Queen of The South Sea, Nyi Roro Kidul. At that meeting, she begged to Nyi
Roro Kidul to become her soldier. And the Queen was approved it.

One day, Dewi Lanjar and the genies was ordered tominterfere Raden Bahurekso who was
opening Gambiran. But because of Raden Bahurekso’s power, Dewi Lanjar and the genies can be
defiated an conquered even submit to him. And Dewi Lanjar decided to not back to the South Sea
because she has lost. But she begged to Raden Bahurekso and Nyi Roro Kidul to stay and live in
the North Sea. Finally Raden Bahurekso approved it even the Queen. Dewi Lanjar allowed to
dominate the Northern Sea of Central Java especially Pekalongan, and she become the Queen of
the North Sea.

Moral: don’t be sad for too long, because if we try get out of those problems and we never give
up, surely God will give us the path.