‘So beautiful, so colourful’: Vibrant Deepavali celebrations at Batu Caves captivate foreign tourists

Foreign tourists and expatriates were captivated by the vibrant Deepavali celebrations at the iconic Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves, Malaysia. Russian tourist Evelina Nesterenko, 24, visited the landmark for the first time and described it as a breathtaking experience, praising its "so beautiful" and "so colourful" atmosphere. An English language teacher from Vietnam, Nesterenko had traveled to Malaysia after hearing glowing recommendations from friends and being fascinated by the nation's cultural diversity.

German tourist Lena Koetter expressed her admiration for the genuine warmth and lively festive atmosphere of Malaysians, noting that the country offers a sense of peace and unity. Koetter, who spent a fortnight in Malaysia, highlighted the friendliness and generosity of the locals. An Indian bank officer based in Malaysia for nearly a year, Bhanuprakash, visited the temple with friends from India.

While the traditional prayers and rituals at the temple resembled those in his homeland, he appreciated Malaysia's unique tradition of the “open house,” where neighbours and friends from diverse backgrounds are welcomed to share festive meals. Batu Caves is famous for its colossal statue of Lord Murugan, standing at 42.7 meters and being the tallest statue of a Hindu god in Malaysia.