It was pretty awkward for a Chinese girl and a white guy to gatecrash a religious party during the eve, but it didn't matter because we were curious since: 1) I've never been to Batu Caves during the celebrations and 2), he's a tourist and he has to see this.
We were being videod and pictured, extremely bizarre good times. I brought him around town not like a tourist guide, but just bringing him to the places that my family and I always visit.
The main public transportation to Batu Caves would be the public bus - just hop on to any filled buses from Central Market and they'll bring you there. Blend in with the school of fish, and it only costed around RM2 for a 45-minute bus ride. Subsequently, there's always processions with the devotees along the road from city centre, if not, just pick up and follow suit from wherever.
Driving wasn't in one of any considerations at all, when all news portals announced that train stations will be operating 24 hours, which my friend actually warned me not to take the train. Well, it depends on the timing of the procession happening at Batu Caves too. Just the only thing that made me regret my decision of not driving was when I couldn't speak fluent Malay - asking bus drivers which bus could take us back to city centre, which clearly my friend couldn't even help me out.
We were freaking out since it was a pretty long walk to the 24-hours train station, my data was dying and some of the bus drivers weren't really helping to ease our anxieties. The bus back to KL runs all night too, it was around RM3 and it comes with a really pretty ticket.
Batu Caves looked breathtakingly majestic at night, I've only been there when I was in primary school and it was during the day. It was obviously obligatory to go all the way up to visit the temple itself. It was pretty taxing for us to take the 300 steps stairway, but the devotees that carry the Kavadi were at ease with some help of his troop. It's a ceremonial offering to praise the Hindu God of War with this dance, and these devotees that take part in this practice would have to cleanse themselves hence fasting.
Ascending wasn't really an issue for us, we were accustomed to move steadily with companions marching forward but leaving the temple was a huge issue for me. My 5 feet 8 friend was comfortable with being one of the tuna in the can, but I was in deep shit, being squashed from all angles. The humidity in Malaysia after a long haul up didn't really soothe anyone, and gotta be aware at all times because of the Kavadi that the devotee carry - better don't hit yourself.
Ascending wasn't really an issue for us, we were accustomed to move steadily with companions marching forward but leaving the temple was a huge issue for me. My 5 feet 8 friend was comfortable with being one of the tuna in the can, but I was in deep shit, being squashed from all angles. The humidity in Malaysia after a long haul up didn't really soothe anyone, and gotta be aware at all times because of the Kavadi that the devotee carry - better don't hit yourself.
A food fete was held along the way towards the stairs too. From stalls of accessories, clothing, Indian sugary delicacies, and section dedicated to devotees to shave off their hair. None of us had the bravery to do any of it before we climbed up the stairs heading in to the shrine, but we didn't have the nerves to shave it off even though we've reached the ground, of course.
Then a carnival was on the other end of the compound, getting it on with the modern times by planting all things out of our culture next to a religious celebration. We went on a bumper car ride because I could never resist bumper car.
Friends and I had been raving about going to Batu Caves not during a party, but that trip has never been fulfilled. 10/10 will bring my friends to gatecrash a party next year.
See you in Melbourne, Trent!
