The Batu caves which are located at a distance of 12 kms from the heart of Kuala Lumpur city constitute one of the most important Hindu religious sites, in the vibrant, multicultural nation that is Malaysia. The caves which ordinarily attract about 5000 visitors a day, are a major focal point during the annual Hindu Thaipussam festival, when they are known to attract more than a million devotees.
The caves and their temples serve as the termination point of the annual and truly fascinating Thaipussam procession which originates from the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown and usually spans a period of eight hours. The Batu caves lie nestled amongst limestone hills and provide an informative cultural diversion on any trip to Kuala Lumpur,
Major attractions of the Batu Caves
As you approach the caves, you will be transfixed by the towering, gold statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war. This statue which was erected in 2006 is the tallest one of its kind and it stands sentinel to the 272 steps that lead up to the entrances of the main caves. As you make your way up these grueling steps, you will be rewarded with stunning views of KL city and its suburbs, though you will also be greeted by gangs of chattering primates, who reside in the hills around the caves and prey on unsuspecting tourists.
The Batu cave system is home to three main caverns- the Temple Cave, the Dark Cave and the Art Gallery Cave. The Temple cave is the largest of the three caves and boasts of high ceilings which are nearly 300 feet high. Located within the Temple cave are various Hindu shrines.
The Dark Cave is located under the Temple Cave and this underground grotto features some stunning limestone formations. The Dark Cave is known to host various cave residents like the endangered Trapdoor Spider. The Dark Cave can only be explored by booking a special tour and such an expedition includes much crawling in enclosed spaces so it’s not advisable as a sight-seeing activity if you are claustrophobic or not physically agile.
Across the Temple cave is the Art Gallery cave which features Hindu carvings and wall paintings that depict Hindu legends and deities.
Aside from sight-seeing, the Batu caves are also known to be a favored spot for rock-climbing. 170 bolted routes in the limestone hills around the caves provide great opportunities for climbers of all levels and skills.
Batu Caves 101
The caves and their temples serve as the termination point of the annual and truly fascinating Thaipussam procession which originates from the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown and usually spans a period of eight hours. The Batu caves lie nestled amongst limestone hills and provide an informative cultural diversion on any trip to Kuala Lumpur,
Major attractions of the Batu Caves
As you approach the caves, you will be transfixed by the towering, gold statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war. This statue which was erected in 2006 is the tallest one of its kind and it stands sentinel to the 272 steps that lead up to the entrances of the main caves. As you make your way up these grueling steps, you will be rewarded with stunning views of KL city and its suburbs, though you will also be greeted by gangs of chattering primates, who reside in the hills around the caves and prey on unsuspecting tourists.
The Batu cave system is home to three main caverns- the Temple Cave, the Dark Cave and the Art Gallery Cave. The Temple cave is the largest of the three caves and boasts of high ceilings which are nearly 300 feet high. Located within the Temple cave are various Hindu shrines.
The Dark Cave is located under the Temple Cave and this underground grotto features some stunning limestone formations. The Dark Cave is known to host various cave residents like the endangered Trapdoor Spider. The Dark Cave can only be explored by booking a special tour and such an expedition includes much crawling in enclosed spaces so it’s not advisable as a sight-seeing activity if you are claustrophobic or not physically agile.
Across the Temple cave is the Art Gallery cave which features Hindu carvings and wall paintings that depict Hindu legends and deities.
Aside from sight-seeing, the Batu caves are also known to be a favored spot for rock-climbing. 170 bolted routes in the limestone hills around the caves provide great opportunities for climbers of all levels and skills.
Batu Caves 101
- The caves can be accessed via a 45 minute taxi ride from the Golden Triangle in Kuala Lumpur.
- Public access to the Batu Caves is free.
- The caves are open daily from 7:00AM to 7:00PM.
- The cave area is not disabled friendly; also older travelers may have difficulty negotiating the steps that lead up to the cave entrances.
- There are several stalls and restaurants around the cave area though many of them tend to be tourist traps.
- Bring bottled water, a cap, sunscreen and bug spray for your expedition to the Batu caves.
- If you intend to do any underground cave explorations, carrying a change of clothes is also advisable as the caves located below the surface tend to be very muddy.
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