Batu Pandang Ratapan Angin: The Best View of Telaga Warna (Dieng)!
Batu Pandang Ratapan Angin – Dieng, once an active volcano, now stands as a dormant geological wonder. Its volcanic past has shaped the landscape, creating slopes, scattered boulders, and intricate cliffs, like the Batu Pandang Ratapan Angin that overlooks the vibrant Telaga Warna (Colorful Lake).
Perched on a hill near the Dieng Plateau Theatre, the Batu Pandang Ratapan Angin offers a panoramic view of the Pengilon-colored lake, framed by a pristine natural landscape. This spot is a favorite for those seeking to soak in the beauty of the lake and its surroundings. The stone formation consists of two large rocks placed side by side, one shaped roughly like a square, while the other stands tall beside it. The wind often blows fiercely through this area, producing a haunting, hissing sound, which has led locals to name these rocks the “Wailing Stone,” as the sound resembles someone crying in sorrow.
From this vantage point, visitors can admire the stunning natural beauty of Telaga Warna, with its ever-changing hues reflecting the sky and surrounding environment.
As with many ancient sites, local legends entwine history and myth. The tale of the Wailing Stone is linked to a story of loyalty, betrayal, and sorrow. Long ago, a handsome prince fell in love with a beautiful princess, and together they lived a life that inspired their people. However, as life often does, trials soon tested their bond.
Their love was threatened when a third party entered the picture, attempting to seduce the princess. Over time, this interference led the princess to stray, and she found herself caught in a secret affair. Despite her efforts to hide the betrayal, rumors spread. The prince, deeply in love, began investigating the whispers with the help of his trusted aides.
To his horror, the prince discovered the truth—his beloved was meeting her secret lover in the forest above Telaga Warna. One fateful day, the prince saw with his own eyes the two together. The princess, filled with regret and shock, wept bitterly, begging for forgiveness. Her lover, however, tried to kill the prince to secure his own escape.
Enraged by the betrayal and the attack, the prince used his supernatural powers to confront the couple. In the midst of the confrontation, a violent tornado ripped through the forest, uprooting trees and shaking the hills. As the winds howled, the prince cursed both the princess and her lover, transforming them into stone. The princess became the seated stone, and her lover the standing stone that remain in the spot to this day.
The strange sound that echoes through the area, caused by the wind striking the hills, is said to be their lament of regret. The prince, according to legend, would visit the stones frequently, reminding his people of the importance of honesty and the consequences of betrayal.
Thus, these twin stones, now known as the Batu Pandang Ratapan Angin, serve as a physical reminder of the tragic love story that has been passed down through generations. They stand not only as a part of Dieng’s natural landscape but also as a symbol of the enduring lessons of loyalty, deceit, and remorse.
