Tag: Hindu

Om Sri Maha Athi Nageswary Amman Hindu Temple at Puchong Gateway

There is an intriguing new Hindu temple under construction at Jalan Seri Kembangan, Puchong Gateway. I noticed it from the LDP highway and took a detour for a closer look.

Om Sri Maha Athi Nageswary Amman Temple
Om Sri Maha Athi Nageswary Amman Temple nearing completion at Puchong Gateway.

The sign outside bears the name Om Sri Maha Athi Nageswary Amman. 

Nagas are snakes that take human form and Nageswary Amman is referred to as the Snake Goddess. There is another temple with a similar name in Bangsar. It was built on the site of a snake mound and a pair of cobras inhabit the mound and guard the temple’s inner sanctum. Perhaps there is a snake nest at this site too.

Seven Cobra Headed Pillars
Seven Cobra Headed Pillars

Seven pillars topped with seven-headed cobras provide shelter to the deities perched below.

The temple is painted a bright yellow colour, which is an auspicious colour in Hinduism.

Ornate carvings embellish the statues and the gopuram.
Ornate carvings embellish the statues and the gopuram.

The gopuram (multi-tiered, pyramidal entrance tower) appears to have seven levels, the number seven seemingly having some significance in this temple.

Did you know? According to Hindu tradition, the marriage bond between a married couple is said to last seven lifetimes.  So if you are fed up with your wife (or husband), tough luck because you’ve got her for another six lifetimes after this one! Or maybe you’ve been married for six lifetimes already which is why you are fed up with each other.

For more up to date photos and information you can refer to my Malaysia Traveller website.

Batu Caves

I have visited Batu Caves a number of times but the other day I thought I would take a look at the Cave Villa which is a recently refurbished section containing two show caves at the foot of the giant limestone hill housing the main Batu Cave.

Although it was a Saturday afternoon there were not that many people about – perhaps they were put off by the entrance fee.

Batu Caves

Cave Villa contains paintings of scenes from Indian folklore,  statues of Hindu gods, verses from their scriptures and so on.

Cave Villa, Batu Caves

There was also a reptile section where a couple of guys were feeding dead mice to snakes which kept trying to escape from their glass cages. I’ll spare you from the photos.

Of course I had to visit the main cave while I was there which involved climbing quite a long flight of steps.

272 steps up to the cave.

Once upon a time there was a funicular railway to help people get to the top. You can still make out where the tracks were.

Route of former funicular railway.

The scale of the main cave, known as Temple Cave or Cathedral Cave, never ceases to impress.

Batu Caves - Temple Cave

It was time for a snack after all these stairs. Being in the grounds of a Hindu temple only veggie is available  but I enjoyed my curry and fresh coconut juice (for just RM9).

Veggie spread at Batu Caves.

The KTM Komuter train service  from KL was extended to Batu Caves last year and I tried it out this time. It was OK although a bit late departing in both directions. Still, for only RM2 each way it is the cheapest and easiest way to get there.

KTM Komuter train to Batu Caves

There  are even female only carriages on this line.

Ladies' only carriage.

Batu Caves railway station is located right next to the statue of Hanuman at the entrance to the caves complex.

The Green Monkey (good name for a pub?)