International visitors express awe at Batu Caves’ vibrant pre-Thaipusam atmosphere, highlighting Malaysia’s cultural diversity as a major draw for tourists
KUALA LUMPUR: The festive spirit of Thaipusam is already palpable at Batu Caves, with Hindu devotees and tourists arriving days ahead of the main celebration.
The temple area, with its iconic colourful staircase, continues to welcome visitors who mingle with vendors in permitted lanes, offering a preview of the festivities set for this Sunday.
Foreign tourists were visibly captivated by the atmosphere, spending time to soak in the vibrant scene and taking photographs around the temple grounds.
Francisco Ruiz from Madrid, Spain, described his visit to Batu Caves as an “excellent experience” during his honeymoon in Malaysia.
Ruiz told Bernama he arrived in Kuala Lumpur with his wife a few days ago and did not expect to witness such a major religious ceremony.
“We came here and saw what looks like a big festival. We didn’t know what celebration it was, but it’s a very good and unique experience,” he said, adding the lively atmosphere left a deep impression on them.
Ruiz said after visiting several locations around Kuala Lumpur, he was impressed by the country’s multi-racial society.
“This is very different from what we are used to seeing, but we really like it,” said the first-time visitor to Malaysia.
Another visitor, Zumarni, 60, from Bandung, Indonesia, also shared a positive experience after visiting Batu Caves, which gave her a glimpse of Malaysia’s societal diversity.
“Malaysians consist of various styles, in terms of background and way of dressing, but everyone can be in an atmosphere like this,” she said.
“It’s easy to see because this is my first time here,” she added.
Thaipusam, one of the major Hindu religious festivals in Malaysia, will be celebrated this Sunday, with Batu Caves as the main focal point.
The celebration at Batu Caves is expected to attract 2.5 million people, an increase from last year due to the weekend and long public holiday.
