Sutra Reregan Caves located in the tourist village of Selsari, Salakambang Village, Parigi District, Pangandaran Regency. Goa Sutra Reregan can be reached within 1 hour drive from the center of the Pangandaran Regency Government. It is directly adjacent to Cintaratu Village to the south and Bangunkarya Village.
Sutra Reregan Caves consists of a series of caves that have reliefs or ornaments. This cave was formed from a shift in the earth’s plates that occurred millions of years ago. Inside the cave there is a stream of water. This water flow is formed from the movement of underground water. So that a large cave-shaped hole appears. Even in rainy conditions, the water in the cave remains clear.
The reliefs in this cave are in the form of stalagmites, stalactites, columns, soda straws, flow stones and Rims stone dams. “About 80 percent of the reliefs or ornaments in this cave are still active. This means that it continues to increase in size as groundwater seeps out of stalactites or water droplets that hit the floor, so that later stalagmites will form,” he explained.
Sufficient water debit in Sutra Reregan Caves makes it possible to make an artificial swimming pool. This is to increase tourist activity. The hilly location also has great potential for agro-tourism development and the Playing Fox arena is built. In addition, gazebos can be made as a place to relax tourists.
Based on the results of temporary research conducted by the Director General of Archeology of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, it is stated that in Goa Sutra Reregan there are ancient human remains. The findings were in the form of ancient tools and remains of ancient human food.
The Reregan Caves Sutra is taken from the term Sundanese. Reregan means ranks or structure. The name describes that the cave has ornaments lined up and structured. Sutra Reregan Cave is the mother cave of several other caves in the village of Selasari. Because the caves in the area are interconnected, both from history and geographical location. Reregan Cave or also called Reregan Sutera, was formerly a place of “Panyipuhan” or a place of rituals to attain occult knowledge.
Even in that cave there is a strong myth that is still believed by local residents. It is said that previously all parts of the rocks in Goa Reregan were Sundanese gamelan instruments played by incarnations of spirits. According to local old people’s stories, several tens of years ago, the sound of gamelan music was often heard from inside the cave. It happens on any given night. The strains of the gamelan are very melodious. The beat of the gamelan was not as usual. There is a magical element and it is difficult for even a skilled artist to play. But now the sound of the mystical gamelan is no longer heard, as the cave is often entered by humans.
However, said Karsa, the cave is still frequently visited by people for meditation, especially Sundanese artists, both sinden (singers) and nayaga (people playing Sundanese gamelan). In ancient times, there was a gamelan in the cave that was filled with magical powers. Many Nayaga meditate while playing the gamelan. If you have been imprisoned in the cave, your ability to play the gamelan will certainly become more proficient. But the gamelan is now gone. Because there are people who borrow, but not returned.
Near Goa Reregan, there is a cave called Goa Parat. It is called Goa Parat because of its elongated shape which is translucent from the main door to the exit at the end of the cave. Inside the cave there are stalactite and stalagmite rocks and there are several stones that resemble puppets. In this cave there are rocks that resemble gamelan. While above the cave there is a large elongated rock that resembles a bed. The stone is often used as a bed by people who are ascetic.
Near Reregan Cave, there is another cave, namely Citulan Cave. This cave is quite unique. Because to get to the cave, you have to cross the river in the cave by swimming. Citalun Cave is also known as a place of meditation or asceticism for Sundanese artists. Starting from sinden and ronggeng dancers, they often perform bathing rituals in the cave. They perform bathing rituals in hopes of becoming more famous, looking prettier and having good performing arts skills.
Sutra Reregan Cave is not only a cave tour that we can enjoy, but we can enjoy several selfie spots on a boat with a stretch of green forest, and there are also several another beautiful spot of course.