Daily Archives: 12/05/2010

(Community Matters) Ram, Steven’s driver for our two weeks, snuck in a quick trip on our way back from the Titwangsa Range to Petrajaya where we’re staying the rest of our time in Malaysia. I’d been to the Batu Caves on my previous trip to Malaysia, but Steven hadn’t. They are the home of the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple, one of the most revered Hindu temples outside India. Even though Ram is Hindu, after he briefed us about a few of the gods represented inside, Steven discretely corrected his id of one of the gods (who knew ST already knew all about the Hindu gods?).

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The largest statute in the world of Lord Murugan (the god of war, also known as Subrahmanya) dominates the entrance and after 272 concrete steps you enter the 400 million years old caves laced with statues celebrating Lord Murugan’s victory over the demon Soorapadam as well as a sanctuary.

(Community Matters) The Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Center is a sanctuary for endangered Asian elephant. Since 1974, they’ve relocated over 450 elephants from the encroachment of their habitats from development. Watched a movie about the rescue efforts and immediately loved their work. Regret we didn’t give financial support, though its going on my list of deserving organizations (we’re quite enchanted by the country and people of Malaysia and imagine we’ll become more well acquainted and tied to going forward).

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(Community Matters) Frank Rich