Travelogue

Malaysia is a country full of forests with war gods, magnificent temples and trading centers. 

Malaysia’s official religion is Islam, but there are many Hindu and Buddhist temples. After our long journey to the capital Kuala Lumpur, we found ourselves in a very crowded airport. Kuala Lumpur, you can also say KL, fascinated us with its shopping possibilities. We visited many different kinds of places, from Chinese and Indian markets to shopping malls with amusement parks and the world's tallest twin tower. We were immersed in the mysterious world of temples and surrounded by Indian legends.

One of the two important structures that come to mind when Kuala Lumpur is mentioned is the Petronas twin towers. This amazing skyscraper is the business center of Petronas Petrol Company. I can't imagine working in such a tall building, it would be so scary for me. But it must be pretty prestigious in Malaysia. The towers rise from the shopping malls. We are often exposed to its glittering majesty from the streets. As it gets closer, it makes you appreciate its gigantic shimmering majesty in an almost dominant manner.

The towers have a foundation of one hundred and twenty meters. Its architecture is modern and innovative, with Islamic motifs. The government agreed with two different companies for the construction of the building. Japanese company for a tower and Korean company for other tower. And they were promised to build the bridge whoever finishes first. the South Korean team won and they built the bridge connecting the towers. The bridge is not directly connected to either tower. It acts independently in strong winds or in the event of an earthquake.

The second most important places to visit in KL is Batu Caves, the largest cave temple in the world. When you step into Batu Caves, a Hindu worship area, you see a golden statue as big as a mountain in front of you. This is Lord Murugan. The supreme god of war dazzles with his gigantic size and shimmering gold color. The statue is not just a statue, it is the definition of majesty. You will feel so small when you stand in front of it. Isn't that the purpose of religious figures anyway? To physically feel our own smallness and helplessness in the face of a divine being. The statue looks like a god who has come down to earth. It is huge and sparkling with golden color. 

When you pass the god and climb the colorful stairs you will reach the largest cave temple. Be careful when walking along the stairs. Monkeys can steal your glasses, mess with you or maybe grab you with their dexterous hands and drag you into a war of Hindu gods inside like the white rabbit taking Alice to another world. Frankly, I would volunteer for that. Even though I'm afraid of the Petronas twin towers, the wars and creatures of the Indian gods are like fantasy movies and I would gladly volunteer for that. 

We can say that the Indian gods are the union of opposites. The gods either fight each other or fight together. A god carries an object and has a meaning; the other rides an animal, it also has a meaning. In fact, all polytheistic religions always symbolize something. One is abundance, one is warfare, one is family, one is self-sacrifice… 

The three great Indian gods are Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. Shiva is both creative and destructive. His most famous depiction is his dance surrounded by fire, for he is the master of dance and tramples ignorance under his feet. The white-bearded god Brahma is the father of Manu, from whom all humans are descended. Vishnu is the protector of the world. When great disasters happen or bad people rule the world, he comes to the world with a new avatar and fights for humanity. 

One day, these great gods are given the good news of a god who will kill the demons. And this is how Lord Murugan is born from Shiva. It is called by various names. Murugan, Kumara, Skanda, Kartikeya,… Murugan is a philosopher warrior. He destroyed many demons and fought the demon army. You can see the figures and narrations of the wars of these gods in the temple area. Buying and reading a book about the Hindu religion before you go will give you a useful awareness.

After diving into such fantastic events, let's come to the most delicious part… You can find all kinds of food in Malaysia and rediscover your taste. We tried many different meals. We ate in a very fancy restaurant and also we ate street foods. We like it all. We did not experience any discomfort. The green dessert cooked in bamboos was the most memorable. The curry noodle we ate on the street was actually I think curry and garlic with a little noodle, but it was very good in the end. There's nothing like eating exotic fruits and refreshing energy at the markets. Drinking lots of coconut water is also helpful.

Although other destinations are mostly preferred in the far east, Kuala Lumpur is a place not to be missed. A safe place where you can eat and drink what you want, wear what you want and truly witness religious tolerance. It will surprise you by gods with spears.

Local Guide

Batu Caves: It is necessary to climb 272 stairs to reach the cave protected by Lord Murugan with his spear. You need to wear comfortable sneakers. But your effort will take you to the World's largest cave temple. There are sections of worship inside. Entry is free. This is quite a large area. Before going into the cave, there are many statues and depictions telling Hindu legends in the wide area.

If you are looking for adventure, you can also visit Dark Cave. There is an entrance fee to the Dark Cave. These tours are accompanied by a guide, with flashlights and helmets. If you are a very adventurous person who can meet a rare spider species and have a good time with bats, you will have a lot of fun. Smoking is prohibited in the temple area. After landing, you can drink coconut water and refresh your energy.

Langkawi Wildlife Park: Although I had the courage to get the snake around my neck at the zoo, it saddens me that animals are locked up in the zoo. You can watch the elephants bathe in the river. You can see many animals and enjoy this green area.

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park and Butterfly Park: Butterflies are pretty good hosts. At least ten butterflies landed on me as I entered the park, so these delicate creatures greeted me quite nicely. Not being able to photograph that moment is one of my biggest regrets. You can see many colorful butterflies here. While we were at the butterfly park, it rained and we were stuck in the park for a while. But this is not a regret, of course.

The bird park, on the other hand, is a beautiful area built on a large area surrounded by tropical trees. The majority of birds are in the open field. You can walk next to them and feed them. Both parks are located side by side. Photographers can capture great moments here.

Petronas Twin Towers: I recommend you buying tickets online to visit the tallest twin towers in the World. Otherwise, waiting in long lines is a waste of time. The last floor that visitors can climb is the 41st floor, where the bridge connecting the two towers is located. Take a photo of the city as you cross the Sky Bridge. Those who are afraid of heights, beware!

Then you can go to the Suria KLCC shopping center located under the towers. You can reach any brand and fill your stomach in the large dining area.

Chinatown: I recommend you not to run out of all your money in this crowded market, where you can find interesting and cheap souvenirs that can be even cheaper according to your bargaining power. Because as I said, Kuala Lumpur is a shopping city. You'll find a lot more to spend money on. When you raise your head in the streets, beautiful Chinese lanterns will accompany you. I bought traditional chinese children's clothing, magnets and exotic fruits.

Little India: This is a place where you will feel yourself in India. This region is a colorful and complex place where you can eat Indian pancakes and many other traditional Indian dishes and find interesting items. It's time to immerse yourself in the crowd and wander.

Pasar Seni or Central Market: The history of the market dates back to the period when the country was under British rule. Again, it is a place where you can shop like crazy and go into the mode of going to die if I don't buy this as I came to the Far East.

Kuan Di Temple: You should visit this very small but cute temple located in the city center of Kuala Lumpur, close to the Pasar Seni Market. It’s a Taoist temple and also the oldest temple in Malaysia. There are dragon guards at the gates and its roof is decorated with dragons.

Thean Hou Temple: This large Buddhist temple, located outside the city, will fascinate you with its lanterns and decorations. Resembling a majestic Chinese palace, this temple is dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. The temple was built by Hainans, ancient fishermen who migrated to Malaysia from the island of Hainan, a tropical and extraordinary island of China. Hainan is also a beautiful place that can be added to the travel list of many travelers.

Highlights
  • During the Thaipusam festival in January-February, Hindus celebrate Lord Murugan's extermination of demons. But what a celebration! Hindus who stick skewers and hooks on their bodies demonstrate their resilience to pain. They carry jugs of milk to wash the huge statue of Lord Murugan. This holiday is considered one of the biggest festivals in the world. We could not come across that period and judging by the visit numbers, we would not have preferred to enter this huge crowd. But it is must certainly attractive for many people to watch such a big event.
  • According to the latest data, 55% of the population is Malay, 25% is Chinese, 10% is Indian and the rest is other nationalities. From here, we can understand what kind of a cultural mosaic the country has.
  • Although it is governed by parliamentary democracy, there is still a Sultan at the head of the state.
  • While 61% of the population is Muslim, 19% is Buddhist. The rest spanned a wide spectrum from Christianity to Shamanism.
  • It has an equatorial climate. It receives heavy rainfall from January to May. Humidity is too high. It is ideal for a summer visit.
  • Pointing with your index finger is an insult in Malaysia. The thumb should be used when pointing a place.
  • When you meet a Malaysian, don't be surprised if you get an invitation to dinner right away. Malaysians love to eat out. Families often eat out because the food is cheap.
Tips and Tricks
  • We did not experience any security problems in Kuala Lumpur. You can dress however you want. But of course, we should not fail to respect religious beliefs and holy places. When entering the temples, it is requested that the shoulders and especially the legs are covered up to the knees. If you do not bring long clothes when entering Batu Caves, you can buy them from sellers. We saw shoes being taken off in some places of worship, and of course we did too.
  • I recommend bringing an umbrella with you. Suddenly it rains and suddenly the weather is sunny again. But of course you can say you have a lot of things to buy, it's okay if you want to carry less stuff. Indians who sell umbrellas when it rains immediately become your savior. Don't forget to bargain.
  • People try to be very helpful, but there may be language problems. That's why it's a good idea to research it well. It is necessary to carry a map.
  • Malaysia uses triple electrical sockets. It's a good idea to buy an adapter.
  • The airport is far from the city. You can reach the city with the KLIA Express train line. Compare prices. If you are more than two people, it may be more advantageous to choose a taxi instead of going by train. Taxi transportation prices are also very affordable.
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