(CNN) — Custodians of an ancient Hindu site in Malaysia plan to install an escalator as an alternative for visitors unable or unwilling to climb the 272 steps leading to its temple and cave temples.
The Ten caves They are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Malaysia. They are a religious place and focal point for Hindu worshippers Annual Thaipusa festival Every year.
Located a few kilometers north of the capital Kuala Lumpur, the site is believed to be around 400 million years old and easily recognizable by its towering rainbow staircase, which has become popular among Instagram users.
Visitors have to climb 272 steps to reach the temple located in a limestone cave at the summit.
The addition of the escalator will make the site “more accessible,” a spokeswoman for the site's management team said at a news conference Friday.
We hope the government will help us as this (escalator) will allow disabled people and old people who cannot climb stairs to go to the main temple,” said temple committee president R. Nataraja.
Nataraja added that after this year's Thaipusad festival, the construction of the moving staircase and the new “multi-purpose hall” will take place on January 25.
Nataraja said the hall is estimated to cost about 35 million Malaysian rupiah ($2,240). He did not say how much the escalator would cost.
Visitors on the steps leading to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple of Ten Caves. Mohd Samsul Mohd Said/Getty Images
Tourists visiting Malaysia flock to the Silk Caves to see its famous Rainbow Staircase, painted as part of an effort by the temple's organizing committee to attract more people to the site.
Ten Cave officials say the strategy has worked, noting the popularity of the colorful stairs among Instagram users.
However, the renovation has sparked controversy with Malaysia's heritage committee, which claims the steps were painted before the makeover was approved.
