Batu pećine, Batu Caves

Na periferiji Kuala Lumpura nalaze se Batu pećine, jedno od najvažnijih mesta hodočašća hinduista izvan Indije.
Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur is a leading Hindu shrine outside India.

Od 1890.god tu se svake godine u desetom mesecu hinduističkog kalendara (najčešće krajem januara ili) početkom februara odvija živopisna hinduistička svečanost Thaipusam. Preko milion ljudi u velikoj gužvi poseti ovo mesto tokom tri dana trajanja praznika. Batu pećine čine tri velike i nekoliko malih pećina. Gua Kecil, jedna od tri glavne pećine ima krov visine 100 m, te se u nju tokom praznika tiska veliki broj obožavaoca.

Since 1890s, it is the scene of the colorful Hindu festival of Thaipusam. The festival is held in the tenth month of the Hindu calendar (mostly the end of January) or the beginning of February. Over one million people throng Batu Caves over three days of festivities. It is made of three main caves and several smaller ones. Of the three caves Gua Kecil has a roof that is 100 m high and attracts large numbers of worshippers and visitors during Thaipusam.

Do nje se dolazi penjanjem uz 272 stepenice. Uspon je veoma težak a svaki stepenik uzan. Potrebno je više puta se odmarati a zbog velike vrućine obavezno treba imati i flašu vode sa sobom. Poželjno bi bilo i sačekati trenutak kada je bar jedan deo širokog stepeništa u hladu kako bi se mogli sakriti od prejakog sunca koje strašno prži.
It is accessible via 272-step staircase. Climbing is very dificult and each stair is narrow. It is necessary to take a break several times and to have a bottle of water with you because of unbearable heat. It would be also good to wait until one part of wide stairs falls into shade so that you can hide from strong sun that enourmously burns your skin.



Neki posvećenici nose „kavadi“ („teret“ u vidu krčaga ili bokala) veliku maštovito ukrašenu žičanu konstrukciju čijim šiljatim krajevima buše svoju kožu a neki buše obraze i jezike oštrim napravama koje liče na žicu. Thaipusam je vreme kada se izvodi čin ispaštanja i nošenja „ tereta“ u cilju ispunjenja zaveta datih božanstvu Gospodaru Muruga (Bog rata zaTamile). Nosioci kavadia očekuju da će im molbe biti uslišene. Žene na glavama nose srebrne krčage pune mleka. Neki posvećenici kukama kače na svoje telo limune, pomorandže i kokose.
Some devotees carry the “kavadi”, large creatively decorated wire frame whose ends pierce the skin and may have their cheeks and tongue pierced by sharp wire-like instruments. Thaipusam is a time for carrying out acts of penance and carrying the burden, in fulfillment of vows made to the deity, Lord Muruga (God of War in areas whit Tamils). By doing this penance they expect some favours from their Gods. Women carry a silver jugs full of milk on their heads. Others hook limes, oranges or coconuts onto their bodies.


Procesija počinje u hramu Sri Mariamman u Kuala Lumpuru noć pred Thaipusam festival i traje oko 8 časova hoda do Batu pećina
The procession starts on the evening before the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Mariamman Temple in the town centre of Kuala Lumpur and lasts for about 8 hours of walk till the caves.



Na dolasku dočekaće vas mnoštvo majmuna. Oni se nadaju da će od vas dobiti malo kikirikija ili bananu.
At your arrival you will be greeted by lots of monkeys. They are going for your peanuts and bananas.


Poslednji nivo pećina na kom se i nalazi hram nema svod već pogled u otvoreno nebo zaokružen stenama. Na vrhovima se nadvijaju zelene krošnje pa u malo dvorište konstantno lagano padaju mali listovi presijavajući se usput na sunčevim zracima.
The top level of caves where the temple is placed has no ceiling but view to the open sky circled by rocks. Over the tops green tree tops lean and small leaves shining in the sun beams are falling down into the small patio.


Do Batu pećina može se stići iz centra Kuala Lumpura gradskim autobusom ili taksijem (13km).
Batu Caves can be reached from Kuala Lumpur by local bus or taxi (13 km).

Čak i kad nije vreme praznika u pećini se može zateći po neki vernik koji vrši obred obraćanja bogovima. Na video snimku koji sledi vidi se čovek koji se moli bogu da prihvati dušu njegove preminule majke.
Even than, when there is no a festival you can see believers who performe ritual of addressing to gods. The following video clip shows a man who prays to God to accept a soul of his departed mother.