31/01/2010 Sightseeing in KL

Took a taxi to the Batu Caves Temple the day after Thaipusam started to witness the devastation! Thaipusam is grandiose affair! It attracts about a million worshippers and tourists from within the country and abroad over three days of festivities, offerings and self-mutilation by the worshippers. Nowhere else in the world (not even India) is this festival celebrated on such a grand scale. Walked up the 272 steps to check out the worshippers and look back at the massive Golden Statue at the entrance. For more info on the caves check out http://tamilelibrary.org/teli/malaysia03.html

From here we took the bus back into town and went to Chinatown and the central market. After this we walked to the old train station and across to the national mosque which was closed for prayers. Walked up to the sculpture gardens, the national monument, the botanic gardens and back to the National Mosque. This time we were in luck and were allowed to enter after removing our shoes and donning long hooded cloaks. We met with the Imam upstairs who gave us some incredible insights into his Islamic faith. Obviously a well-educated and travelled man, he was very keen to focus on the similarities of the religions of the world rather than the differences and we had a fascinating conversation with him while looking around the beautiful mosque and watching members at prayer.

Anggun Hotel, 175 MR, Golden Triangle Kuala Lumpur Malaysia