{"id":1292,"date":"2011-01-19T09:51:58","date_gmt":"2011-01-19T01:51:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tvsmith.my\/?p=1292"},"modified":"2011-03-22T16:44:58","modified_gmt":"2011-03-22T08:44:58","slug":"the-chariot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/tvsmith.net.my\/blog\/the-chariot\/","title":{"rendered":"The Chariot"},"content":{"rendered":"

The annual Thaipusam Chariot procession inched its way towards Batu Caves<\/a> from around midnight, yesterday. Beginning at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Chinatown<\/a>, the journey is expected to take fourteen hours. Thousands of devotees accompanied the magnificent chariot on foot. Marching along steadfastly, some had pots of milk perched on their heads, while a few had mini-kavadis<\/em> on their shoulders…<\/p>\n

\"Midnight<\/a>

Midnight at L.A.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"A<\/a>

A Smashing Time at Leboh Ampang<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Mr<\/a>

Mr Durai, a temple volunteer, and I became acquainted after running into one another almost every year \ud83d\ude42<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Crack<\/a>

Crack Of Dawn<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Long March<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Multi-Etnic<\/a>

Multi-Ethnic Jalan Ipoh<\/p><\/div>\n

\"'Firestick<\/a>

'Firestick Dance'<\/p><\/div>\n

I left the procession around 8:30 this morning. The chariot is expected to arrive at the temple in Batu Caves<\/a> at around 2:00 pm today.<\/p>\n

See also:<\/strong> Thaipusam 2011 @ Batu Caves<\/a><\/p>\n

Blast From The Past:
\nThaipusam 2004 by TV Smith
\n<\/a> Chasing A Chariot 2006 by TV Smith & Lu Sean<\/a><\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong> You can view larger versions of the images here, gallery-style. When the page finishes loading, click on any picture. Navigate via the arrows on each side of the frame.<\/em><\/p>\n

All pictures captured with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 camera by TV Smith<\/em><\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n
Address:<\/strong> Jalan Batu Caves, MRR2, Selayang, Selangor
\nPostcode (Poskod):<\/strong> 68100 Gombak
\nTel:<\/strong>
\nFax:<\/strong>
\nWebsite:<\/strong>
\nArea<\/strong>: Selayang, Selangor (Sel \/ D.E.)
\nJurisdiction:<\/strong> Majlis Perbandaran Selayang – MPS (See Local Govt<\/strong><\/a>)
\n
\nEvents At This Location: See MyCen Events Calendar<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Directions:<\/strong> From KL city via Jalan Kuching (or Jalan Ipoh) northbound, go up the roundabout that joins the MRR2. Take the 3 o’clock exit. From Ampang, Setapak and Sentul via MRR 2, keep left from the Giant Hypermarket, all the way to the traffic light junction to Ulu Yam. This road is closed during the Thaipusam Festival and parking is chaotic. Enterprising, overnight parking operators within 5 kilometers charge at least RM 10 for parking during this period.<\/p>\n

Thaipusam:<\/strong> KTMB (http:\/\/www.ktmb.com.my\/<\/a>) will provide additional special two-way special train services to the Batu Caves Station<\/a><\/strong>, on a 30-minute frequency (for 24hrs).<\/p>\n

Road Closure Info:<\/strong> As with previous years, the roads in the vicinity will be closed in stages, including the traffic light junction at the Amaniah Mosque heading to Jalan Batu Caves Lama, Sungai Tua heading to Jalan Batu Caves Lama and Jalan Perusahaan. The MRR 2 may come to a crawl but it usually remains open throughout.<\/p>\n

There is now a new flyover to the old Ulu Yam road (at the interchange in front of the Batu Caves entrance). This serves as an overhead bypass to the new electric rail lines and Komuter train station running below.<\/p>\n

New Facility:<\/strong> For 2010, there is a new area devoted to the river cleansing ritual for devotees (marked B on this map). The new cemented river bank appears more spacious and cleaner than the older site. but the river is still as polluted. Because of the now gate-less train line that leads to the new train station, the tracks are fenced off on both sides. New overhead pedestrian bridges are provided to allow crossing to the river on the other side.<\/p>\n

Info \/ Insights:<\/strong> The magnificent caves on a limestone ridge is located in the north of Kuala Lumpur. Consisting of three main caves, the Temple Cave, the Ramayana Cave (Art Cave) and the Dark Cave, the site is rich with flora and fauna. Sadly, a big portion of this natural heritage was blasted and gruesomely disfigured by commercial quarry operators. The mining ceased in the early 80’s, but only after inflicting years of irreparable damage.<\/p>\n

Batu Caves has become an important religious landmark for Hindus, as well as a popular tourist destination. Hindu devotees built a shrine for Lord Murugan (Muruga) in the cavernous, cathedral-like cave around the 1890s. During the annual Thaipusam Festival<\/strong><\/a>, more than a million devotees and tourists gather at the caves ground. Devotees carry kavadis<\/em> and milk pots up the 272 steps in fulfillment of vows. In 2006, a giant statue of Lord Murugan, standing at 42.7 meters, was unveiled. It took three years, 550 cubic meters of concrete, 350 tons of steel bars and 300 liters of paint to construct the world’s tallest statue of the deity.<\/p>\n

The climb up the Temple Cave was previously complemented by a funicular service. The service no longer available but the climb is well worth it for the view and the antics of monkeys along the way.<\/p>\n

On the eve of Thaipusam, a chariot procession<\/strong><\/a> makes its way through Leboh Ampang<\/strong><\/a>, near Jalan Masjid India<\/strong><\/a>, Jalan Raja Laut<\/strong><\/a> and Jalan Ipoh<\/strong><\/a>. The chariot returns to the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple<\/strong><\/a> in Chinatown the night after.<\/p>\n

Pictures:<\/strong> Thaipusam Photo Essay 2004<\/strong><\/a> | Chasing A Chariot 2006 by TV Smith & Lu Sean<\/a><\/strong>
\nLord Murugan Statue Unveiling 2006<\/strong><\/a> | Chariot Procession 2008<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nearby Landmarks<\/strong>: KTM Batu Caves Komuter Station (A), New Thaipusam River Cleansing Ceremony Site (B), Balai Polis Batu Caves (Shoplot-type) (C),<\/p>\n

Surroundings:<\/strong> MRR2, Jalan Ipoh, Jalan Sungai Dua (also called Sungei Tua<\/em>), Kawasan Industri Batu Caves (Industrial Area), Taman Batu Caves, Taman Sri Selayang, Taman Amaniah, Taman Batu Muda, Kampung Laksamana, Kampung Nakhoda, Selangor Culture Cove (D), Pangsapuri Angsana, Semarak & Penaga Condominium, Ariza Garden Villas at Taman Raintree (E), Medan Selayang (F), Sri Gotong Apartment (G), Pejabat KWSP Gombak – EPF Medan Batu Caves (H), Pos Malaysia Batu Caves – Post Office – Pejabat Pos Taman Sri Selayang (I), Cash Converters Taman Sri Selayang (J), Pasaraya Warta Supermarket (K), Kompleks Renang Sri Siantan dan Dewan Sri Siantan (L), Kompleks Sukan Seri Siantan (M), Sri Astana Apartments (N), Taman Suria Selayang (O), Laksamana Puri Apartment (P), Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara – JPN Daerah Gombak, Kompleks Amaniah (MAIS) (Q), Sungai Batu River Front (next to Plaza Makmur and Plaza UMNO Batu Caves) (R), Pusat Komersial Amaniah (S), Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur – Selayang Wholesale Market (T), NSK Trade City – 24 hrs (U), Pasa Raya Sri Ternak – 24 hrs (V), Pasar Selayang – Old Pasar Borong Wet Market (W), Road to Batu Dam & Ulu Yam (X) , Old Road To Rawang (Y), SJKC Kheow Bin Chinese School (Z)
\n(use zoom and navigation buttons on top left of map to explore<\/em>)<\/p>\n

Nearby Hotels:<\/strong> There are budget hotels near the Police Station (C), near the River Front (R) and at Medan Selayang (F) (see Hotel Listings<\/strong><\/a>)<\/p>\n

Nearest Train Station: KTM Batu Caves Station<\/a><\/strong> (A) (walking distance)
\nNearest Police Station:<\/strong> Balai Polis Batu Caves (C)
\nBus Number:<\/strong>
\nDistance:<\/strong> 15.1 km to 1 Utama via MRR2, 14.8 km to KLCC via Jalan Pahang \/ Tun Razak
\nGPS Coordinates:<\/strong> N3 14.204 E101 40.995
\nPosition on Google Earth:<\/strong> View MyCen Location<\/a><\/strong> (what’s this?<\/a>)
\nFeatured Category :<\/strong> Places Of Attraction<\/a> <\/strong>
\nRelated Categories:<\/strong> Religion<\/a> <\/strong> | Tourism<\/a><\/strong> | Transport<\/a> <\/strong> <\/strong> | Public Holidays<\/a><\/strong> | MyCen News<\/strong><\/a> | Events<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Connecting Maps: Giant Hypermarket Batu Caves<\/a><\/strong> | International Islamic University Gombak<\/a><\/strong> Menara Sentul<\/strong><\/a> | Ong Tai KIm Supaermarket, Gombak<\/strong><\/a> | Pasar Seri Gombak<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Beginning at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Chinatown, the journey is expected to take fourteen hours. Thousands of devotees accompanied the magnificent chariot on foot… Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[377,378,25],"tags":[325,75,326,254,323],"class_list":["post-1292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-culture-festivals","category-events","category-news-commentary","tag-batu-caves","tag-culture","tag-hindu-festival","tag-panasonic-lx-5","tag-thaipusam"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/tvsmith.net.my\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/tvsmith.net.my\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/tvsmith.net.my\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tvsmith.net.my\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tvsmith.net.my\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1292"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"http:\/\/tvsmith.net.my\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1292\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1757,"href":"http:\/\/tvsmith.net.my\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1292\/revisions\/1757"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/tvsmith.net.my\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tvsmith.net.my\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tvsmith.net.my\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}