The majestic presence of Gunung Raya is deeply rooted in a legendary feud between two powerful giants, Mat Raya and Mat Cincang, who were once the closest of friends. The story goes that their friendship shattered during a wedding feast between their children, when a trivial disagreement spiraled into a violent clash. As the giants fought, they hurled massive pots and pans at each other, creating the island’s geography: where a pot of gravy broke, the town of Kuah (meaning "gravy") was formed, and where a jug of hot water fell, the Telaga Air Panas (hot springs) emerged. The chaos only ended when a neutral giant named Mat Sawar stepped in to mediate the dispute. In their moment of exhausted fury, the giants were transformed into stone as a permanent reminder of their conflict. Mat Raya became the island's tallest peak, Mat Cincang became the rugged mountain to the west, and the mediator, Mat Sawar, was turned into the small hill that stands forever between them to keep the peace.