MALAYSIA MURUGAN TEMPLE
The famous Hindu-Tamil deity Lord Muruga is worshipped not only in India but also in every part of the world where Hindus and Tamilians reside. One such famous place for Lord Murugan is in Malaysia which has become an epic place for its huge sense for its uniqueness and specific traits.
BATU CAVES/ PATHTHU MALAI:
The Batu caves (Paththu malai in tamil) is located about 13kms from Kuala lumpur the capital of Malaysia. The term Batu means “rock” in malay language. It is a series of hill caves made up of limestone created naturally which is about 400 million years old.
It was a little known place by the local residents and used as a shelter by the Indigeneous Tribal and chinese too. It was later discovered by an American Naturalist William Temple Hornaday. It was initially used as a place for fishing and bat catching by the ancient tribal people of that place.
It is found that the cave contains a lot of flora and fauna with it. It is calculated that there are about 269 vascular plants, 56 species of caliciphiles ( which grows only on the limestone), 21 species of spiders and bats( maily fruit bats) and long tailed macaques(a kind of monkey species) living in that particular area.
MALAYSIA MURUGAN TEMPLE:
Shree Muruga Peruman temple in Malaysia is situated at Batu caves and the Deity is called as Subramaniya Swami (another name of lord Muruga). Besides the 6 abodes of Lord Muruga in India, this is considered as the 7th popular shrine outside India for Muruga.
It is situated at 100 meters above sea level with rich geographical features. This batu caves also acts as a tourist spot for its various incredible places to be visited. Audio tour is also available for the people to let them know about the rich history of that area.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MALAYSIA MURUGAN TEMPLE:
The cave has got a structure of Vel shaped entrance and it is considered as the largest Temple cave in the world with 3 main caves. The biggest cave is called Cathedral cave/Temple cave with a very high ceiling containing various Hindu shrines.
The other 2 caves are made into a gallery and Museum cave which contains Hindu statues, idols and paintings.It was renovated and opened as a cave villa in the year 2008. Most of the shrines are related to the story of lord muruga and his victory over the demon soorapadman.
Dark cave is located below this cave. 3 other caves called kallumalai(Ipoh), Thanneermalai(Penang), Sannasimalai(Malacca) are also equally important following the Malaysia Murugan Temple(Batu caves). Ramayana caves are located to the left of this cave where a 50 feet Hanuman statue stands gigantically.
The total count of steps for this cave is 272. During 1920 the three way wooden steps were replaced into concrete steps and later by 2018 (August), these were again replaced as a four way path which is painted with a beautiful scheme of different range of color shades.
HISTORY OF MALAYSIA MURUGAN TEMPLE:
According to the order of his father Kayoraganam’s dream, Mr.K.Thamboosamy pillai, an Indian Tamil trader who settled in Malaysia, started to find a place to raise a Murugan temple along with his close ones Sri Thiruvengadam pillai and Sri Kanthappa thevar. Inspired by the Vel shaped entrance of Batu caves, he thought that would be the right place for his destination.
Initially they placed a bamboo stick pretending it as a Vel (murugan’s weapon) for prayer later was replaced by the original Vel. By the year 1891 they started raising the temple for Lord Muruga and the following year (1892) the first Thai poosam festival started to be celebrated by the support and acceptance of the local tamil people which is still followed in a grand manner. He then constructed 272 wooden steps for the temple.
It is to be noted that it also founded the Sri MahaMariamman temple in the year 1890 at Kuala Lumpur.
MALAYSIA MURUGAN STATUE:
This Malaysia Murugan status acts as an icon symbol for Malaysia. With 140 feet height this Murugan statue stands the 2nd tallest statue of Hindu deity in the whole world. It was built during the year january, 2006 and it took 3 long years for its complete construction.
This statue is constructed using 1550 cubic meters of concrete, 250 tons of steel bar and 300 liters of golden paint which is brought from Thailand.
THAI POOSAM FESTIVAL:
Besides India Thai poosam(comes in the tamil month of Thai) is celebrated in a majestic way in various other parts of the world in which Malaysia stands first. It is declared as a holiday on Thai poosam by the government of Malaysia. It is the main event focal point for the hindu people in Malaysia and neighbouring countries with millions of devotees.
This starts from Sri MahaMariamman temple and proceeds to murugan temple.People walk in bare feet and climb the 272 steps for fulfilling their vows and prayers, after taking bath from the nearby river Sungai Batu( which means rocky river)and offering infinite pots of milk(paal kudam),various types of kavadi attams(decorated arches of different weights), do self sacrifice rituals, pierce their skin like nose, cheeks, tongue, mouth, back with silver skewers or hooks hanging fruits and milk pots, wearing wooden shoes with nails and shave their heads.
Along with hindu people, people like chinese, malaysia and others will also take part in this traditional ceremony with the hope that Lord Murugan eliminates all the struggles and impediments of one’s life by providing infinite blessings for their happy life and protection from evil.
All Religious Famous:
Due to its fascinating location and high tradition this spot not only attracts the hindu people but also every non religious visitors all over the world.
It is recognised as a cultural and religious centre mainly for all the Indians and Tamilians.