A journey of faith

Sivanar

Rising dramatically on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves stands as one of

Malaysia’s most iconic cultural and spiritual landmarks. The 400-million-year-old limestone

caves are home to one of the world’s most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Murugan also

known as Kartikeya / Kartik / Subramanya. Lord Murugan is the Hindu god of war and

victory. Guarding the entrance to the caves is the towering golden statue of Murugan,

soaring nearly 140 feet high and now recognized as one of Malaysia’s defining tourism

symbols.

Batu Caves

 

Every year, the caves become the heart of one of the world’s largest Thaipusam

celebrations. Observed on the first full moon of the Tamil month of Thai, usually in late

January or early February, Thaipusam is deeply significant to Malaysia’s large Tamil Hindu

community. Though Malaysia is a Muslim-majority nation, nearly two million people of Tamil

origin continue to preserve this vibrant tradition with extraordinary devotion.

This year Thaipusam was celebrated on 1 st Feb and both I and my husband had the privilege

of being there. The journey started a year ago when my husband visited the sacred shrine

on Thaipusam 2025 to direct and shoot a music video for the acclaimed artist Sid Sriram

singing Sivanar, a Thiruppugazh which is one of most revered devotional songs dedicated to

Lord Murugan. Thiruppugazh are written by 14 th Century poet saint Arunagirinathar. For the

Tamil people Arunagirinathar is an extremely revered poet saint and the Thiruppugazh are

the soul of worshiping Murugan. Like our Srimanta Sankardeva, Sri Sri Madhavdeva and

their borgeet.

The festival commemorates the moment when Goddess Parvati gifted Murugan the divine

Vel, or celestial spear, to defeat the demon Surapadman and his brothers. According to the

Tamil belief, Murugan split Surapadman in two after the demon transformed himself into a

mango tree to escape defeat. Surapadman rather than die in the literal sense, it’s said,

experienced the death of his pride and ego. Rather than destroying him completely, Murugan

transformed the demon into a peacock and rooster, symbols that became part of his own

iconography. The story represents the triumph of humility over ego and the possibility of

redemption through divine grace.

Another legend central to Thaipusam is the story of Idumban, a devoted disciple tasked with

carrying two sacred hills from the Himalayas to South India. Exhausted during his journey,

Idumban rested in present-day Palani, only to discover he could no longer lift the hills

because Murugan himself stood upon them disguised as a child. After a confrontation,

Idumban realized the child’s divine identity and humbly sought forgiveness. Murugan,

impressed by his dedication and perseverance, blessed all future devotees who would

symbolically follow in his footsteps.

This tradition lives on through the carrying of kavadi, or “ceremonial burdens,” during

Thaipusam. Devotees shoulder decorated wooden structures or carry pots filled with milk,

honey, and fruit as offerings to Murugan. The demanding physical journey is viewed as an

act of spiritual purification, discipline, and surrender. Some devotees chose to go the

extreme penance by piercing body parts. They say, it never hurt.

Nowhere is this devotion more vividly displayed than at Batu Caves. What began in the late

19th century as a modest shrine established by Tamil leader K. Thambusamy Pillai has

evolved into a vast temple complex attracting millions of pilgrims and visitors annually.

During Thaipusam, the atmosphere transforms into a spectacular fusion of music, dance,

prayer, and color. The colour yellow is significant for Lord Murugan. Devotees accompany

Murugan’s image on an elaborate silver chariot during a nine-mile procession through the

city. By the time they reach the base of Batu Caves, exhaustion is visible, yet the immense

golden statue of Murugan inspires one final act of devotion — the climb up the famous 272

rainbow-colored steps leading into the sacred cave temple.

 

At the summit, pilgrims offer their prayers in gratitude and surrender, completing a journey

that is as much spiritual as physical. More than a festival, Thaipusam at Batu Caves is a

profound expression of faith, resilience, and transformation, making it one of Southeast

Asia’s most unforgettable cultural experiences.

We didn’t climb the steps on the Thaipusam day. We chose to sit on the temple ground,

watching the devotees carrying those heavy ‘Kavadis’ and to soak in the devotion in the air.

We went back after 2 days early in the morning, climbed the rainbow steps and offered our

prayers and gratitude to the Lord. We sought permission from the pujari to play Sivanar to

Murugan. He agreed. It was a full circle moment for us!

 

Monsoon Potluck

“Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.” 
― Mark Twain

Meeting friends for a potluck during monsoon or Bihu or any special occasion has become a ritual since last few years now. This year was no exception; but this year we decided to get surprised items but surely "not desi"  but try to keep it as Asian as possible. 
Of course we decided on who was getting starters or main course or dessert. The result and the spread was simply super. 

Bonding over good food with varied conversation with good company make all the difference. 

Here are the photos of what we ate..

Starters : 

We had Devilled Eggs with a Mayo and Tuna twist.

Noodles with stir fried vegetables and chicken in orange juice.

Grilled Chicken with Kaffir Lime

Garlic and Orange Mint prawns with Avocado and Wasabi Guacamole.

Starters

My plate of Starters

Main Course :

Main Course

Chicken Rendang
Nasi Lemak
Malaysian Sambal
Roasted peanuts, salads and boiled egg.

Dessert :

No bake cake with Icecream and Mascarpone Cheese
Coconut Macaroons

Dessert

Every dish was simply delectable and the love that had gone behind preparing and presenting shone through each one. 

One Confession : Both the starters; Grilled chicken and Prawn with Guacamole were prepared by my better in kitchen half. I just ate. 

My High Five in Malaysia

       For everyone who has been bitten by the travel bug, certain places on the planet find a place with BOLD letters in their wish list and I am so sure that Malaysia features in each one of them. If you ask me, Malaysia features not in just BOLD letters but in BOLD RED letters and yet I haven’t had the chance to visit this magnificent country! Such is life. But does that stop me from dreaming about the things that I wish to do once I land up there; of course not. So here goes my wish list of what I look forward to in Malaysia.

1                    Cameron Highlands, Pahang : I come from that part of India which is known to the world for tea. Yes, Assam it is. Tea in THE drink at my household. Naturally Cameron Highlands is one place I wish to experience in Malaysia. Located in the Titiwangsa Mountains, Cameron Highland is almost the size of Singapore. The beautiful cool climate allows lot of plantations around this area; mainly Tea, Strawberries, flowers and vegetables. Roam around enjoying the vegetable gardens or the strawberry fields; watching colourful butterflies. One can also just enjoy his/her cuppa and sit looking at the picturesque tea plantations blanketing the undulating hills. Imagine a sunset beyond the lush green acres of tea plantation on the slopes of the hills.

        Melaka City, Melaka : To know about the country well, look back to her past and where else in Malaysia than this UNESCO World Heritage City of Melaka or Malacca. The is the city which was once the capital of Malacca Sultanate and the centre of the Malay world in the 15th and the 16th century. Centuries of colonization by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British culture have influenced the architecture of the town which is visible in landmark building around the town like the Portuguese “A Famosa” and the Dutch “Stadthuys”.  

Source :

http://www.tourism.gov.my

       Batu Caves:  This famous limestone cave temple with the 140 feet high statue of Lord Muruga is one temple I want to visit in my lifetime.  Not that I am a very devout Hindu with regular visits to temples, but this one with 272 steps to the main temple cave is one Hindu temple outside India which I would love to go. This is the centre of Thaipusam Festival in Malaysia where thousands of devotees carry milk as offering to their Lord Muruga in colourful kavadis.

     Sarawak Cultural Village, Sarawak :  This village known as the “ Living Museum”, showcases the rich cultural heritage of Sarawak. Located in the foothills of the legendary Mount Santubong, this award winning living museum is wholly owned by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) depicts the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak and conveniently portrays their respective lifestyle amidst 14 acres of tropical vegetation. Here, it is possible to see Sarawak's ethnic diversity at a glance. 
The village residents provide information on their various traditional cultures and lifestyles. One can see replicas of buildings that represent every major ethnic group in Sarawak; longhouses of the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu, a Melanau tall-house and a Chinese farm house among others. 

Source :

http://www.tourism.gov.my/

       Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur : No visit to Malaysia can be complete without a visit to the most iconic monuments; the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. At 451.9m from street level these two are World’s tallest twin towers  and the sky bridge that links the two towers is also the world's highest two-storey bridge, doubling up as a superb viewing platform. The 88-storey building features glass and steel on the outside, and a traditionally-inspired interior, reflecting Malaysia's aspirations in moving forward while maintaining its national identity. The towers were designed by Argentine American architect César Pelli. They chose a distinctive post modern style to create a 21st-century icon for Kuala Lumpur. Today these two towers is most prolific symbol of modern Kuala Lumpur and thus of Malaysia.

Ok, those are the top five experiences that I look forward to in Malaysia. But the list doesn’t end here. I want to go a gastronomy tour in the famous Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur which transforms in the evenings into a foodies delight; wander through the streets of China Town and Little India enjoying vibrant colours of the Malay Chinese and Malay Indian communities; A walk through the pre historic rain forests of Taman Negara and I can go on and on.

Here’s to the hope that I can soon set my foot in this fascinating Malaysia, Truly Asia.

Amen.

I am participating in the MalaysiaJao Blogathon Contest in association with BlogAdda.com.