The Mystery of Giant Footprints in South Aceh | Misteri Tapak Kaki Raksasa di Aceh Selatan

Tapaktuan -
Nature sometimes holds a mystery, as in Tapaktuan, Aceh Selatan. On a rock overlooking a loose sea, there is a giant footprint. This is the origin of the name Tapaktuan.

The local legend says that it is the footprint of Mr. Tapa, a figure in the legendary story of South Aceh. The existence of treads located at the foot of Mount Lampu, Tapaktuan, this is the tourist attraction. To visit there is not easy. Visitors must pass through various sized rocks.

Do not be afraid to get lost. There, there was a clue of white lines painted on every stone. Staying in that direction, a giant 6x2.5 meter tread is ready to surprise the eye.

The legend story of Tuan Tapa became the origin of the name of the capital of South Aceh regency, Tapaktuan. The city is located about 440 kilometers from the provincial capital of Aceh. The legend of Tapak Tuan has become a folklore for generations and trusted by the people there. Unfortunately, the process of renovation that may be its purpose to preserve, it makes it unnatural again. Although now the tread is no longer natural, but the location is still captivate visitors.

"According to the story here once there is a trace of this footprint, so as not to be lost, so now it is made like this," said a guide, Khairil, detikTravel, Saturday (24/10/2015).
Tapa Tapa tourist site manager, Chaidir Karim, recounts, once there lived a giant hermit who is very obedient to God. Syech Tuan Tapa, his name. One day, two dragons from China found a baby floating in the middle of the sea. They then rescue the baby and take care of him until he grows up.

A few years later, the two infant parents who became kings and queens in the kingdom of Asralanoka knew of their daughter's whereabouts. The king asks back his baby on both dragons. The request was rejected. Without thinking, the king took his daughter's run up into the ship.

"The two dragons are angry and chasing the king until there is a battle in the middle of the sea, which causes Mr. Tapa's disruption," Chaidir said.

Mr. Tapa then came out of the mountain where he was imprisoned and stepped onto a mountain. While standing on the top of the mountain, Tapa Tapa was about to throw his body into the battle arena. "The footprints as he stands is what stays here," he said.

Tapa Tapa manages to kill both dragons with a stick. At that time, Mr. Tapa's intention was to save the baby who had become a princess. Apparently, Tapa Tapa's good intentions made both dragons so angry that there was a battle.

Long story short, the fight was won by Mr. Tapa. The princess returned to the arms of the king and empress. But both did not return to the kingdom and chose to settle in Aceh.
The footprint is 6 meters long (Agus / detikTravel)

"Their presence in the land of Aceh is believed to be the forerunner of the Tapaktuan community," he explained.

Not long after that incident, Syech Tuan Tapa disappeared in a location. By Tapaktuan community, the location is believed to be Tuan Tapa's grave. Located in front of Tuo Mosque in Padang Village, Tapaktuan Sub-district. Until now, the tomb is still crowded to visit.

In addition to the giant tread, not far from there also there are stones in the middle of the sea is believed to be a skull of Mr. Tapa who has now become a stone. The cap were released when the fight took place. The stone stick was there.

Located five kilometers from the site of the site, there is a heart-shaped coral in Batu Itam Village and dragon scales in Batu Merah Village. According to the story, the former body of a lost male dragon fight. There is also a ship-shaped coral reef at Batu Berlayar Beach, Damar Tutong Village, Samadua Sub-district, South Aceh, located about 20 kilometers from the giant footprint. It is said that the rock was the remains of the king's ship and the empress of the Asralanoka Empire that was destroyed during the battle.

"Now many tourists are visiting here," Khairil said.

Curious about giant treads? Come visit this nicknamed Dragon City district!

Source : https://travel.detik.com/domestic-destination/d-3052458/misteri-tapak-kaki-raksasa-di-aceh-selatan

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Tapaktuan -
Alam terkadang menyimpan misteri, seperti di Tapaktuan, Aceh Selatan. Di sebuah batu karang yang menghadap lautan lepas, ada sebuah bentuk tapak kaki raksasa. Inilah asal muasal nama Tapaktuan.

Legenda lokal menyebutkan itulah tapak kaki Tuan Tapa, tokoh dalam cerita legenda Aceh Selatan. Keberadaan tapak yang terletak di kaki Gunung Lampu, Tapaktuan, ini menjadi daya tarik wisatawan. Untuk berkunjung ke sana memang tidak mudah. Pengunjung harus melewati batu karang beragam ukuran.

Jangan takut kesasar. Di sana, sudah ada petunjuk berupa garis putih yang dicat di setiap batu. Tinggal mengikuti arah tersebut, tapak raksasa berukuran 6x2,5 meter siap mengejutkan mata.

Cerita legenda tapak kaki Tuan Tapa menjadi asal muasal nama ibukota Kabupaten Aceh Selatan, yaitu Tapaktuan. Kota ini terletak sekitar 440 kilometer dari ibukota provinsi Aceh. Legenda Tapak Tuan menjadi cerita rakyat turun temurun dan dipercaya masyarakat di sana. Sayang, proses renovasi yang mungkin tujuannya untuk melestarikan, justru membuatnya tidak alami lagi. Meski kini tapak tidak lagi alami, tapi lokasi tersebut masih memikat hati pengunjung.

"Menurut cerita di sini dulu memang ada jejak tapak ini. Biar agar tidak hilang, makanya sekarang sudah dibuat begini," kata seorang pemandu, Khairil, kepada detikTravel, Sabtu (24/10/2015).
Tapak ini terkait legenda asal muasal daerah Tapaktuan (Agus/detikTravel)

Pengelola objek wisata Tapak Tuan Tapa, Chaidir Karim, mengisahkan, dulu di sana hidup seorang pertapa sakti bertubuh raksasa yang sangat taat kepada Allah. Syech Tuan Tapa, namanya. Suatu hari, ada dua naga dari negeri China menemukan seorang bayi terapung di tengah laut. Mereka kemudian menyelamatkan bayi itu dan merawatnya hingga tumbuh dewasa.

Beberapa tahun kemudian, kedua orangtua bayi yang menjadi raja dan permaisuri di Kerajaan Asralanoka mengetahui keberadaan putri mereka. Raja meminta kembali buah hatinya pada kedua naga. Permintaan itu ditolak. Tanpa pikir panjang, raja membawa lari putrinya naik ke dalam kapal.

"Kedua naga marah dan mengejar raja hingga terjadi pertempuran di tengah laut. Hal itu menyebabkan persemedian Tuan Tapa terusik," kata Chaidir.

Tuan Tapa lalu keluar dari gunung tempat ia bertapa dan melangkah ke sebuah gunung. Saat berdiri di puncak gunung, Tuan Tapa hendak melontarkan tubuh ke arena pertempuran. "Jejak kaki saat dia berdiri itulah yang membekas di sini," ungkapnya.

Tuan Tapa berhasil membunuh kedua naga dengan menggunakan tongkat. Saat itu, niat Tuan Tapa untuk menyelamatkan bayi yang telah menjadi seorang putri. Ternyata, maksud baik Tuan Tapa membuat kedua naga marah besar sehingga terjadi pertempuran.

Singkat cerita, pertarungan itu dimenangkan oleh Tuan Tapa. Sang putri pun kembali ke pelukan raja dan permaisuri. Tapi keduanya tidak kembali lagi ke kerajaan dan memilih menetap di Aceh.
Tapak kaki ini panjangnya 6 meter (Agus/detikTravel)

"Keberadaan mereka di tanah Aceh diyakini sebagai cikal bakal masyarakat Tapaktuan," jelasnya.

Tak lama berselang setelah kejadian itu, Syech Tuan Tapa menghilang di sebuah lokasi. Oleh masyarakat Tapaktuan, lokasi tersebut diyakini sebagai makam Tuan Tapa. Letaknya di depan Masjid Tuo di Kelurahan Padang, Kecamatan Tapaktuan. Hingga kini, makam tersebut masih ramai dikunjungi.

Selain tapak raksasa, tak jauh dari sana juga terdapat batu di tengah laut yang diyakini sebagai kopiah Tuan Tapa yang kini sudah menjadi batu. Kopiah itu terlepas saat pertarungan terjadi. Tongkat yang sudah menjadi batu pun ada di sana.

Berjarak lima kilometer dari lokasi tapak, ada karang berbentuk hati di Desa Batu Itam dan sisik naga di Desa Batu Merah. Menurut cerita, bekas potongan tubuh naga jantan yang kalah bertarung. Ada juga karang berbentuk layar kapal di Pantai Batu Berlayar, Desa Damar Tutong, Kecamatan Samadua, Aceh Selatan, yang terletak sekitar 20 kilometer dari tapak kaki raksasa. Konon karang itu sisa kapal raja dan permaisuri Kerajaan Asralanoka yang hancur ketika pertempuran.

"Sekarang banyak wisatawan yang berkunjung ke sini," kata Khairil.

Penasaran dengan tapak raksasa? Yuk kunjungi kabupaten berjuluk Kota Naga ini!

Sumber : https://travel.detik.com/domestic-destination/d-3052458/misteri-tapak-kaki-raksasa-di-aceh-selatan