Sawan Stone (or Batu Cawan) is a rock that resembles a big bowl with a spring flowing onto it at Sianjur Mulamula, Samosir. The stone is also a cultural heritage site for Batak and Lake Toba and is near the former residence of King Batak (or Si Raja Batak, the name of the first king). To see it on the map, click here.
What’s Special
Unlike ordinary water, the spring flowing onto the stone has a fresh lime flavor. Local people believe that the water can cure all kinds of diseases. They call it blessing water and consider it sacred because, according to the legend, King Uti who was a descendant of King Batak lived there. This location is often used to hold ritual events.
Here are some of the things that are special about Sawan Stone:
- The water is said to have healing properties. The Batak people believe that the water from Sawan Stone can cure a variety of diseases, including skin diseases, digestive problems, and respiratory problems.
- It is a sacred site for the Batak people. The Batak people believe that Sawan Stone is the home of spirits. The site is used for religious ceremonies and rituals.
What to Enjoy
There is a small waterfall that flows from the top, past the rock cliffs, and then accommodated in a large rock in the shape of a saucer before flowing back to the lower plains (that’s why it is called Sawan Stone or Grail Stone). The diameter of the stone cup is about 3 meters and is approximately 2 meters deep at the deepest bottom. The water is very clear and the volume varies with the seasons. The water taste is not fresh like ordinary, but rather like water that is squeezed with grapefruit or kaffir lime.
In addition to carrying out the ritual, many visitors come to Sawan Stone specifically to take the water to drink and bathe because it is believed to be able to cure various diseases. Water for drinking is taken directly from Sawan Stone while bathing is only allowed in a special bath built under Sawan Stone.
What to Expect
Sawan Stone can only be reached on foot via a 700-meter-long (2.296 ft) footpath from Huta Parik Karetan. Some of the roads are already paved with concrete. The road, which is only one meter wide, is steep and winding, some of which have extreme slopes. Weeds and greenish-yellow thickets stretched as far as the eye could see. The pine tree grows randomly with a slender trunk.
Here are some additional tips:
- Visit the site in the morning or late afternoon. The site can be hot in the middle of the day.
- Hire a local guide. A local guide can help you navigate the trail and tell you more about the site and its history.
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