KUALA LUMPUR: The best occasion to visit Malaysia is around the Thai Poosam festival. You simply cannot skip visiting the Batu Caves, where a 142-foot golden statue of Lord Muruga stands majestically. The festival at the cave temple is celebrated with gaiety.
The Batu Caves gained significance with the exodus of South Indian labourers to Malaysia during the 19th century. The Tamilian tradition to offer worship at temples was the force behind the setting up of a temple in Batu Caves.
It is said that the head of the South Indian labourers Kayaroganan Pillai had a dream in which he was directed by Goddess Amman to construct a temple for her son in Batu caves. In 1873 Pillai built the Mahamariamman temple in Kuala Lumpur.
In 1888, a duo — Thambusamy Pillai and Kandappa Thevar — consecrated a Vel (a spear held by Muruga) in the Batu Caves and commenced worship at the site.
Thai Poosam festival came to be celebrated in the Batu Caves temple from 1891 onwards. Though it started as a Tamilian festival, it came to be favoured by all races and religions and now more than a million people take part in the festival.
To climb atop the hillock to reach the Caves, crude steps were cut in 1920.
In 1939, two-way flight of steps came to be built and now devotees have the privilege of going up the hillock by climbing a three-way flight of 272 steps.
Today, Thai Poosam is a mega event in Malaysia, with the government declaring it a national holiday.
The major attraction at the Batu Caves is the golden statue of Muruga with the vel. It was the united effort of 15 Indian sculptors and 30 local artisans who completed it after three years of hard work, estimated at two million Malaysian Ringgit.
Incidentally, this is the tallest statue of Muruga in the world. It was opened by Dato Sri S Samyvelu on January 29, 2006.
The notable feature of the festival is the carrying of kavadi and pal kudam by the devotees to the temple. From kids to senior citizens, people undertake the vow and fulfill it which is indeed a thrilling sight. No wonder the Batu Caves and the statue of Muruga are deemed the pride of Malaysia.