Mount Rinjani Lombok, the “Island of a Thousand Mosques,” holds within its rugged volcanic heart a legend that transcends time. At the center of this mythos is Dewi Anjani, the spirit queen who reigns over Mount Rinjani. Her story is not merely a folktale; it is the spiritual blueprint for the Sasak people and the reason why Rinjani remains one of the most revered peaks in Southeast Asia.
To understand Lombok is to understand the 7 sacred dimensions of Queen Anjani’s legacy and her mystical bond with the mountain.
1. The Royal Lineage of a Spirit Queen
The story begins with a king named Datu Tuan and his wife, Dewi Mas. For years, they remained childless, leading the King to pray fervently to the heavens. Eventually, his prayers were answered with the birth of a daughter of extraordinary beauty and wisdom: Dewi Anjani.
From a young age, Anjani exhibited qualities that were not entirely of this world. While her father ruled the earthly realm of Lombok, Anjani felt a pull toward the ethereal. Legend says she was eventually appointed by her grandfather—a powerful deity—to rule over the spirits (jin) of the island. To facilitate her reign, she was placed upon the highest throne in the land: the summit of Mount Rinjani.
2. The Transformation of the Peak
Mount Rinjani, standing at 3,726 meters, is more than a geological formation; it is Anjani’s palace. The Sasak people believe that the mountain was once much higher, but during a period of intense spiritual activity, the top was transformed to create the majestic caldera we see today.
This transformation created Segara Anak, the “Child of the Sea” lake. It is said that the lake is a mirror to the soul, and its deep blue waters are under the direct protection of the Queen. When the lake is calm, Anjani is at peace; when the mountain rumbles, it is a sign of her immense power shifting beneath the earth.
3. The Legend of the Golden Hoe
One of the most positive and enduring parts of the Anjani myth involves the prosperity of the island. According to local lore, Queen Anjani noticed that the land at the foot of the mountain was dry and the people were struggling.
She commanded her spirit subjects to use a Golden Hoe to dig channels from the mountain’s heights down to the plains. This act of divine engineering created the many springs and rivers that make Lombok’s soil fertile today. This story serves as a reminder of her role as a provider and a protector of the island’s agriculture.
4. The Guardian of the Segara Anak
The crescent-shaped lake, Segara Anak, is located approximately 2,000 meters above sea level. For the people of Lombok, this is Anjani’s bathing place.
- Healing Waters: Pilgrims trek for days to bathe in the nearby hot springs (Aik Kalak), believing that Queen Anjani has infused the water with medicinal properties.
- The Spiritual Test: It is said that if you look at the lake and it appears vast and endless, you will live a long life. If it looks small or narrow, it is a prompt to reflect on your humbleness.
5. Anjani and the Sacred Rituals (Pekelem)
Every year, thousands of people participate in the Pekelem ceremony. This is a vivid display of the positive harmony between different faiths in Indonesia. Both Hindus and Sasak traditionalists trek to the crater rim to offer gold, jewelry, and prayers to Queen Anjani.
By placing offerings into the lake, they ask for rain, a bountiful harvest, and the Queen’s continued blessing. This ritual reinforces the mountain as a “living” entity that requires respect and gratitude, preventing the exploitation of the natural environment.
6. The 2018 Resilience: A Modern Connection
In 2018, when Lombok was struck by powerful earthquakes, many locals turned to the story of Anjani for comfort. In the folklore, the mountain is the “nail of the earth” (paku bumi).
The belief is that Queen Anjani holds the island together. The survival of the communities and the eventual reopening of the trekking trails were seen as a sign of her resilience. The mountain didn’t just survive; it renewed itself, proving that out of destruction comes new growth—a core theme in Anjani’s mythology.
7. The Eternal Moral: Respect for Nature
Perhaps the most significant secret of Queen Anjani is the ethical code she imposes on those who climb her mountain. Trekkers are warned:
- Speak no evil: Harsh words or arrogance on the slopes are said to invite the Queen’s displeasure.
- Leave no trace: To pollute Rinjani is to disrespect Anjani’s home.
This “spiritual ecology” has helped preserve Rinjani as one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. The Queen serves as a timeless environmentalist, teaching us that the earth is sacred and our presence on it should be one of stewardship, not just consumption.
The Peak of Enlightenment
Today, as the sun rises over the Rinjani rim, casting a shadow across the Bali Sea toward Mount Agung, hikers often feel a sense of inexplicable peace. Whether you believe in the literal spirit of Queen Anjani or see her as a metaphor for the raw power of nature, her presence is undeniable.
She remains the silent monarch of the clouds, a symbol of feminine strength, and the guardian of Lombok’s ecological and spiritual future. Through her story, the mountain becomes more than just rock and ash—it becomes a living testament to the beauty of Indonesian heritage.