Batu Caves Murugan Statue, Hindu monument in Gombak, Malaysia.
The Batu Caves Murugan Statue is a golden representation of a Hindu deity that rises in front of the cave entrance and ranks among the largest religious sculptures in Southeast Asia. The sculpture stands on a multi-story base and faces the road, with its right hand grasping the spearhead.
Construction began in the early 2000s as a community project by the Tamil community and lasted several years until the inauguration took place. The initiative arose from the desire to make the religious importance of the site visible from the outside.
The figure shows Murugan holding his spear, a deity especially revered by Tamil families in Malaysia and central to the Thaipusam pilgrimage each year. Devotees gather at the base to lay flowers and light incense before beginning their climb.
The sculpture serves as a landmark when entering the grounds and helps visitors locate the beginning of the stairway. Those who come early in the morning experience the figure in softer light and with fewer crowds.
The golden finish requires regular maintenance, with specialists working at dizzying heights to preserve the shine. At certain times of day, the surface reflects so intensely that the monument can be seen for kilometers.
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