Kuala Lumpur, elephant story- 273 jumbo steps up Batu Caves

November 13, 2005

Is this humane? Doesn't look like it to me, photo available of step climbing on

the source below.

Friday November 11, 2005

273 jumbo steps up Batu Caves

BEST FOOT FORWARD: The elephant reaching the top of Batu Caves after a

one-hour climb Thursday. This was the first time in Malaysia that an elephant

performed such a feat.

KUALA LUMPUR: In a rare scene, an elephant guided by a mahout climbed the 273

steps of Batu Caves to take part in the Uthama Patcha (Grand Prayers)

consecration ceremony being carried out at the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple at

the hilltop.

Chief priest Ravinatha Gurukkal said the elephant was taken there to perform the

special prayer for Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.

“The elephant is also the vahanam (vehicle) for Lord Ganesha,” he said, adding

that this was the first time in Malaysia that an elephant climbed Batu Caves.

Ravinatha said this was also the first time that the special consecration

ceremony was being performed in Malaysia, and the third time in the world.

“The ceremony is aimed at renewing the power of the temple and deities,” he

added.

Ravinatha said five elephants were brought from Thailand to undertake the

arduous climb but four of them were brought back down after climbing 30 steps as

the accompanying devotees became scared.

“About 1,000 devotees who were at the temple cheered as the elephant was brought

before Lord Ganesha for the one-hour prayer,” he added.

Temple chairman R. Nadarajah said more than 50,000 devotees from throughout the

country were expected to attend the Maha Kumbaabhishegam ceremony on Sunday.

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