Gua Cherita

Here, you will see faintly legible on the walls, Jawi inscriptions that date back to 1754 AD. You will also see rocks that somewhat resemble furnitures. The rock formations are not only beautiful to behold but seems to portray shapes of mythical beings of the island.

These limestone caves in Isle of Gua Cherita or Gua Cerita (Story Cave), are told in the legends of the founding of the Kingdom of Kedah. In the legend of Merong Mahawangsa:

The story goes that the emperors of Rome and China had a plan to marry off their children. The scheme was opposed by the legendary Geruda (phoenix) who saw the union of the two great powers as a threat to the other smaller kingdoms. The Geruda was determined to quash the scheme; what it did was to abduct the Chinese princess and hid her in a cave believed to be on Langkawi Island. It then set to attack and destroy the Roman fleet commanded by Merong Maha Wangsa with the Roman Prince on it. Merong Maha Wangsa is said to be of mythical origin, the descendents of an indera (a minor divinity) and a gergasi (orge).

During the battle Merong Maha Wangsa summoned the help of Jentayu, the mythical bird of water. However the Garuda was victorious. During the battle the Roman prince fell into the sea and was washed ashore on the island where the Chinese princess was hidden. He was later found by the princess's maids and the couple were finally united in betrothal.

Meanwhile the Garuda had thought he was victorious but came to know later that the couple was united in marriage. In disgrace the Geruda vanished itself from the world.

Another version:
Gua Cerita & The Gadembai

A long time ago there lived a strange creature on Langkawi, called Gedembai,who could turn any human or animal into anything she wished just by saying the words. If she said to someone, "You look like an ox!" that person would instantly be transformed into an ox. She could also turn people into inanimate objects such as rocks, and this meant certain death. Gedembai was feared and hated by everyone and her unusual power virtually made her the queen of the island.

Her wishes were fulfilled unquestioningly and no one dared to disobey her. She was described to appear in various forms;a ghost acreature like a human being but of giant size. Both however mention her ability to turn people into stone. Contrary to what may be expected, the Langkawi Gedembai was a beautiful, luscious woman in her early thirties.

Her character was devoid of love or compassion and her deadly ability taught people to stay away from her. Many people left the island and those who could not afford to leave lived in great fear. They learned that appearing docile and weak kept them safe from Gedembai, as long as they did what she wanted.

Gedembai lived in a beautiful timber house that was build for her by villagers.One day as she was walking along the beach of Tanjung Rhu, she noticed a cave and took a liking to it. This cave, called Gua Cerita, was already inhabited by a family but Gedembai turned them all to stone.

For some time, stones could be found in the cave in the shape of beds,tables, pots and pans, and other household items, and of a man, woman,and three children, but they have been removed over time.