The bustling capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the region, with the population of Klang Valley topping seven million. The Parliamentary seat of Malaysia and the official residence of the Malaysian King are located in this economic and cultural center, which is the only global city in the country. Kuala Lumpur is also home to the tallest twin buildings in the world: the Petronas Twin Towers.
Visitors to this exciting city can stay in 5 star hotels Kuala Lumpur and experience fine dining at world-class restaurants. Shopping can be done in one of over sixty malls as well as neighborhood and cultural markets that feature everything from antiques and art to clothing, souvenirs, and crafts. The weather maintains a year-round equatorial climate of warmth, making it an ideal tourist destination.
In addition to the usual attractions to the modern day tourist, Kuala Lumpur offers a range of spiritual and religious destinations. A truly global community, major religions practiced in Kuala Lumpur include Islam, Hinduism, buddhism, Confusicanism, Taoism, and Christianity. Mosques, temples, and other religious architecture mingle with the modern skyscraper to create an intriquing cityscape. Religious ceremonies and festivals also play an important part of the city’s cultural calendar.
Every year, nearly one million devotees and tens of thousands of tourists gather at the Batu Caves for the Hindu festival of Thaipusam. The temple at Batu Caves, located outside the city, is the end of a procession that begins the night before at Sri Mahamariamman Temple in the center of the city. Participants take a vow to offer a penance or burden (kavadi) to tide over or avert a great calamity. These are essentially portable altars, which involve large, elablorate decorated frameworks that are usually attached to the bearer with metal hooks and skewers that pierce the tongue, cheeks, and skin. The procession can last eight hours and culminates with devotees climbing the 272 steps to the temple.