- Batu Caves - Batu Caves is a limestone hill featuring a series of caves and cave temples, situated in the Gombak district, 13 kilometers (8 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The name is derived from the Sungai Batu or Batu River, which flows by the hill. The nearby village is also named Batu Caves.
Batu Caves is among the most renowned Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Lord Murugan. It serves as the central point for the Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia. Known as the 10th Cave or Hill for Lord Muruga, it is one of the ten most significant shrines in India and Malaysia. The Lord Murugan statue at the base of Batu Caves stands as the second tallest Hindu deity statue globally, with an impressive height of 42.7 meters (140 ft.).
The limestone forming Batu Caves is estimated to be around 400 million years old. Some cave entrances were historically used as shelters by the aboriginal Temuan/Besisi people (a tribe of Orang Asli). By 1860, Chinese settlers began extracting guano to fertilize their vegetable gardens. The caves gained prominence after being documented by colonial authorities like Daly and Syers, and American naturalist William Hornaday in 1878.
Batu Caves was promoted as a worship site by K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian trader. Inspired by the ‘vel’-shaped entrance of the main cave, he dedicated a temple to Lord Muruga within the caves. In temples dedicated to Lord Murugan, Vel, a divine javelin (spear), is an object of worship.
The history of Batu Caves began in 1891 when Mr. K. Thamboosamy Pillai, who also founded the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam in Kuala Lumpur, sent his close associates, Sri Thiruvengadam Pillai and Sri Kanthapa Thevar, to find a suitable place of worship for Lord Sri Murugan.
That same year, Mr. K. Thamboosamy Pillai, a prominent descendant of Indian immigrants from Tamil Nadu, India, installed the ‘murti’ or consecrated idol of Sri Subramaniar Swamy (Lord Murugan) in the 400-ft. high Temple Cave. Since 1892, the Thaipusam festival in the Tamil month of Thai (late January/early February) has been celebrated annually at Batu Caves. Wooden steps leading up to the Temple Cave were built in 1920 and later replaced by 272 concrete steps.
Rising nearly 100 meters above the ground, the Batu Caves temple complex includes three main caves and several smaller ones. The largest, known as Cathedral Cave or Temple Cave, has a 100-meter-high ceiling and features elaborate Hindu shrines. Visitors must climb a steep flight of 272 steps to reach it.
At the hill’s base are two additional cave temples, Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave, both filled with Hindu statues and paintings. This complex was renovated and established as the Cave Villa in 2008. Many shrines narrate the story of Lord Murugan’s victory over the demon Soorapadam. An audio tour is available for visitors.
To the far left, facing the steep hill wall, stands the Ramayana Cave. The Ramayana Cave chronicles the story of Rama along the cave’s irregular walls. On the way to the Ramayana Cave, there is a 50-foot (15 m) tall statue of Hanuman and a temple dedicated to Hanuman, the noble monkey devotee and aide of Lord Rama. The temple’s declaration ceremony was held in November 2001.
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- English-Speaking Driver
- Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Batu Caves is a renowned and frequently visited tourist site in Selangor.
As the location of a Hindu shrine and temple, Batu Caves draw in a large number of devotees and sightseers, especially during the yearly Hindu festival, Thaipusam.
Situated slightly north of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves are composed of a limestone hill comprising three primary caves that house temples and Hindu sanctums.
The most noteworthy feature is the grand statute of the Hindu God situated at the entrance, followed by a challenging 272-step ascent which rewards climbers with a breathtaking view of the city skyline.
Monkeys can be observed playfully cavorting around the caves, attracting rock-climbing enthusiasts. Murals and portrayals of Hindu Gods are also displayed in the Ramayana Cave.
A visit to the Batu Caves is a must-do on your trip.
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