Submitted by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi, source: http://www.iskconmalaysia.com/profiles/blogs/opportunity-to-distribute-books-during-thaipusam
KUALA LUMPUR – Headed by book distributor stalwarts, Ravilocana and Tattvavit dasa, devotees in Kuala Lumpur took the opportunity to distribute books during one of the biggest Hindu event in Malaysia, Thaipusam. This event is celebrated once a year in Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur. The Batu Caves are situated thirteen kilometers (seven miles) north of the capital city Kuala Lumpur. They are the sacred place for the Hindu’s in Malaysia. They consist of three main caves and a number of smaller ones. The caves are made of limestone and 400 meters long and 100 meter high. They were discovered in 1892.
At your arrival you will be greeted by lots of monkeys. They are going for your peanuts and bananas, which you can buy in several shops, before you climb up to the caves. You have to climb 272 steps, which will lead you to the religious and magnificent Batu Caves.
The word
Thaipusam
is a combination of the name of the month,
Thai
, and the name of a star,
Pusam
. This particular star is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates the occasion when gave Murugan Vel”spear” so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman
Since early morning, thousands of Hindus converged at Batu Caves where the Sri Subramaniar temple is located, to partake in the religious festival to express gratitude, fulfill a vow or do penance. As many as 800,000 devotees and other visitors throng the caves. As a form of penance or sacrifice, many of them carry kavadis (literally, “burden,” such as a pitcher or jug). These are large, brightly decorated frameworks, usually combined with various metal hooks and skewers which are used to pierce the skin, cheeks and tongue.
Among the sea of people were foreign tourists who watched with interest and captured snapshots of the colourful kavadi procession and other features of the festival. By doing this penance they expect some favours from their Gods.
At the base of the hill, there are three caves with statuary and mural depiction of the scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata and lives of renowned Tamil poet, Valluvar.
The three caves are known as Ramayan Cave, Art Gallery and the Valluvar Kottam. The depictions are spectacularly graphic. The Ramayan Cave presents a concise but comprehensive narration of Lord Rama’s history.
