On my second day in Kuala Lumpur I made it my mission to travel to the Batu Caves for a spectacularly, thrilling sight before I departed for Bangkok. The place, the people, and the culture of this extension of Kuala Lumpur and Malaysian culture is an inspiring learning encounter.
The Batu Caves are north of Kuala Lumpur in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia and is the home to a limestone hill with Hindu temples dedicated to a Hindu Lord, “Murugan.” As you exit the Batu Caves transit and enter into the Batu Caves site, statues and shrines characterize your entrance, which add to the “holistic” nature of this site for some of the devout Hindus.
After trailing the path, you behold the iconic Batu Caves site: the 140ft high statue of Murugan, a Hindu deity. This particular lord is depicted in the form of a large golden statue. Behind the statue are a steep flight of 272 steps that lead to the large limestone cave temples—that contain the temples, a few shops, and ample amounts of large space.
A friend prefaced me in regards to the numerous monkeys that frequent the caves, the stairs, and the path leading to the temples. As one not to willingly entertain the monkeys, I made sure to mind my own business and take pictures like the tourist I embodied on this visit. As I exited the interior of the caves, I had the opportunity to reflect as I looked out into the city from atop the steps and embrace the culture.
The Devout:
Considering those who reverence this lord Murugan, its amazing to consider the lengths they would go to in showing their honor. Their devotion is inspiring and a challenge to how I personally honor my Lord and my Savior.
In Christianity, I sometimes barely want to get up and drive to church or wake up for church or strive to open my Bible; but when we are able to travel the world and see others devout their time and actions to honor, it’s truly inspiring.
The Culture:
I recall an elderly man as he—in his lonesome and in alignment with his focus—paced the Batu Stairs. This elderly man describes my entire experience in Malaysia and the Batu Caves. I came to realize there is significance in traveling alone or being alone in order to reflect on who you are, who and what you worship, and what disciplines you enact to continuously building yourself.
