THE MOUNT TANGKUBAN PARAHU

The origin of Mount Tangkuban Parahu is associated with the legend of Sangkuriang, who is said to have fallen in love with his mother, Dayang Sumbi/Rarasati. To thwart her son’s intention to marry her, Dayang Sumbi put forward the condition that Sangkuriang build a lake and a boat overnight. When his efforts failed, Sangkuriang became angry and kicked the boat so that it landed upside down. This boat then formed Mount Tangkuban Parahu. Mount Tangkuban Parahu is an active volcano whose status is continuously monitored by the Indonesian Directorate of Volcanology. Some of the craters still show signs of this mountain’s activity. Among the signs of volcanic activity is the appearance of sulfur gas and hot springs at the foot of the mountain, including in the Ciater area, Subang. Mount Tangkuban Parahu experienced a small eruption in 2006, which caused 3 people minor injuries. The existence of this mountain and the topography of Bandung in the form of a basin with hills and mountains on each side strengthen the theory of the existence of a large lake which is now the Bandung area. It is believed by geologists that the Bandung plateau area with a height of approximately 709 m above sea level is the remains of a large lake formed from the Ci Tarum dam by the eruption of an ancient volcano known as Mount Sunda and Mount Tangkuban Parahu is a remnant of ancient Mount Sunda. which is still active. This kind of phenomenon can be seen on Mount Krakatoa in the Sunda Strait and the Ngorongoro area in Tanzania, Africa. So the legend of Sangkuriang, which is a story from the people of the area, is believed to be a documentation of the people of the Ancient Sunda Mountain area regarding events at that time.