“Legend has it that this spring was, and probably is still, the place where fairies and elves bathe.” said Tapok anak Rayen, the Ketua Kaum (KK) of Kpg. Panchor Dayak, some 48km up the Kuching-Serian Road from the city.
“Early one morning, when I was a young boy, I came down here from my village to take my usual morning bath and came upon signs that someone had been here before me. There were sounds of muffled chatter that suddenly stopped, but there was no one to be seen. Similar stories from fellow villagers confirmed my belief that whoever it was, wasn’t human.” he continued.
Relating the history of the hot-spring, Tapok, who is now 72 and Chairman of the Panchor Dayak Hot-spring said,” The year was 1890. Our forefathers migrated here from Kpg.Taie in search of fertile land to farm padi and made this amazing discovery – a hot-spring- and called it “hot water stream.” We decided to farm and settle here and built our village nearby.
Over the decades, people from outside the village intruded into our area – particularly the hot-spring. One day, we finally approached and queried them.
They explained that they were there to heal their sick mother, as advised by the Tua Pek Kong.
Later, it was learned that the sick woman was completely healed – and words about the hot-spring started to spread like wildfire. More sick people who made their way here were reportedly healed, including those suffering from strokes and paralysis and those unable to stand or walk, resulting in more intrusions.
In view of the frequent intrusions by outsiders who were increasingly disorderly and problematic, in 2004 we began to do something about the hot-spring.
Eventually it came to the attention of the government and local Wakil Rakyat who allocated RM500,000 for the proper clearing and fencing of the area and improving the facilities. We are grateful for their concern and care,” said KK Tapok.
A first-time visitor to the hot-spring, Dennis Kee, an employee of a private firm dealing in construction materials said that he brought his wife and daughter along at the invitations of friends. Dennis said that the hot water from the spring is good for health and plan to make a return visit with his family during holiday breaks.
“This hot-spring is a good destination for foreign tourists and it is important that the government do something about it, especially the road here which is still gravel road. It would greatly improve the image of the place,” said Dennis.
Other first-time visitors to the hot-spring were Josli Malis, his wife and their 3 children, from Kpg. Bunan Gega in Serian District.
“We have been planning to visit here for so long but did not have the time. The sight of the hot-spring, the hot water, really amaze us and we are really happy to make it here today,” said Josli, an employee with the Agriculture Department.
“I hope more people, especially locals visit this hot-spring, as a dip in the hot water could really rejuvenate and make one feel nice.”
He also opined that besides the Panchor Hot-spring, Sarawak has a lot of other interesting places and attractions to visit, and that Sarawakians should visit these places before travelling and visiting other countries, which can be quite costly.
“The hot-spring, with an area slightly more than 2.2 acres, belongs to the village, not to any individual,” said KK Tapok.
“We, the villagers of Kpg. Panchor Dayak, regard the hot-spring as a great blessing. The entrance fees (RM4 for adults and RM1 for children) collected go to the village’s welfare fund, such as for funerals, and also serves as an extra source of finance or income for us. Parts of it go to the costs of the maintenance, extensions, repairs and upgrading of the hot-spring and for the allowances of the workers.”
Pressed further on the fascinating stories about the hot-spring KK Tapok, who retired from the Agriculture Department in late 2000 said,” Legends has it that there is a cauldron of boiling lead buried deep below the “eye” of the hot-spring, which emits the hot water.
Some people believe dipping oneself in the hot-spring 3-4 times a week could cure sickness and heal pain and disabilities. A rich man I met at the hot-spring said that he had looked for cure for his ailment, trying several hot-springs, even in other countries, but eventually found the cure in Panchor Dayak hot-spring – in Sarawak.
After bathing in the hotspring 3-4 times a week, the man announced that he was cured,” KK Tapok said in conclusion.
Strange and unbelievable as it may sound, there are many who swear on the effectiveness of the hot-spring as the cure for their ailments.
Well, perhaps certain chemical elements in the water: a concoction from the cauldron of boiling lead prepared by the elusive fairies and elves did the magic!
