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Batu Caves

Malaysia 101: The Majestic Batu Caves: History, Celebrations and the Giant Lord Murugan Statue

Batu Caves Thaipusam Old Photo Religion Hindu Malaysia India

In the 1950s, Batu Caves was already a significant site for the Tamil Hindu community in Malaysia, with the annual Thaipusam festival being celebrated since the late 19th century. The caves, with their stunning natural limestone formations, had been a place of worship and pilgrimage for decades. During this time, the area surrounding Batu Caves began to develop, although it was not as built up as it is today. The iconic Murugan statue that now stands at the entrance had not yet been constructed; it would become a later addition that further solidified the caves’ status as a religious landmark. Image source: Astro Ulagam

Read More »Malaysia 101: The Majestic Batu Caves: History, Celebrations and the Giant Lord Murugan Statue

Religion 101: Divine Hindu Deities and Their Powerful Symbolism

Batu Caves Muruigan Hindu God Gold Hindu Deities

One of the main Hindu deities of Tamil Nadu, Lord Murugan, also known as Kartikeya, is the son of Shiva and Parvati and is associated with war and victory. Murugan’s iconography is rich and varied, often depicted with six heads to see in all directions and twelve hands, riding a peacock, his vahana. He carries the Vel, a divine spear given by his mother, symbolizing his role as a divine warrior. Image source: iStock Photo

Read More »Religion 101: Divine Hindu Deities and Their Powerful Symbolism

Outbreak 2021: What We Can Learn From Recent Thaipusam Fiasco?

Batu Caves Thaipusam Old Photo Religion Hindu Malaysia

What signifies Thaipusam celebrations in Malaysia? If you are in Klang Valley, it will be a trip to Batu Caves and climb up 272 steps all the way up to the caves with a kavadi. An image of Batu Caves in the 1950s. Image source: Astro Ulagam

Read More »Outbreak 2021: What We Can Learn From Recent Thaipusam Fiasco?

Religion 101: Wrong Moves in the Name of Religion Part 2

religion

The issue of religion in this country has been a very sticky issue especially when it comes to issues relating to Muslims and Non Muslims.

Read More »Religion 101: Wrong Moves in the Name of Religion Part 2

Religion 101: Thaipusam Scary Trip to Batu Caves 2009 Part 3

thaipusam dark alley

Trust me, sometimes dark alleys can be scary in the wee morning especially when one is coming back to his parked car after going to Batu Caves during Thaipusam. Image source: Photo by Pixabay from Pexels)

I don’t know why but I guess standing in a sea of rubbish was making everyone crazy.

Read More »Religion 101: Thaipusam Scary Trip to Batu Caves 2009 Part 3

Religion 101: Thaipusam Scary Trip to Batu Caves 2009 Part 2

Thaipusam Batu Caves

The idea of parking the car in the industrial area for the trip to Batu Caves during Thaipusam came from my sister who has parked many times before but not at night and certainly not when creepy characters are lurking in the dark alleys. Image source: Google Map

Read More »Religion 101: Thaipusam Scary Trip to Batu Caves 2009 Part 2

Religion 101: Thaipusam Scary Trip to Batu Caves 2009 Part 1

thaipusam batu caves hinduism hindu malaysia

(Batu Caves – best visited on any day except on Thaipusam. Less crowd and easy parking but a big miss on interesting kavadis. Image source: http://www.malaysiasite.nl)

It is has been a long weekend for me. We managed to get some outstanding things done during the holidays but it comes at a price – body aching and foot pain. It gets worse once I reached the office, only to find urgent things to be done in the next 2 days and a meeting scheduled at night in KL.

Certainly, this is not the way to start the week.

Read More »Religion 101: Thaipusam Scary Trip to Batu Caves 2009 Part 1