Batu Caves is a sacred place and a place for religious
gathering of mostly Hindus and Indians. It is located approximately 11
kilometers to the north of Kuala Lumpur. Batu Caves is one of those FREE tourist
attractions in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia that we luckily visited last March of 2012.
Batu Caves is a sacred place of a limestone hill made up by three main caves
and several small ones.
|
Lord Murugan - Batu Caves |
From Kuala Lumpur City proper you can get to Batu Caves in 3
ways:
Via Train:
Take a KTM Commuter train from Sentral
Station to Sentul Station. Travel time: 30 minutes. Fare
is RM1.00 one way.
Via Bus:
Take bus 11 or 11d. Travel time is
approximately 45 minutes depending on the traffic. Fare
is RM2.50
Via Taxi:
Take any cab in the Sentral to take you to Batu Caves. Travel
time is approximately 20 minutes and fare is usually RM20.00 that
goes up to RM100.00 if you want the taxi to wait for you.
Upon arrival in Batu caves, we were welcomed by a huge golden
statue named, Lord Murugan, a Hindu deity. It stands 140 ft high and considered
as the world’s tallest statue of Murugan. Passing by the golden statue is way
up to the cave with 272 steps. Watch out as monkeys come along during climbing
moment and they can grab anything from tourists. Climbing 272 steps to the top
may look easy, but as you move up and begin to sweat, it was like a never
ending walk. Make sure you bring bottled water to refresh from sweat and hot
weather. But after that arduous climb uncovers nature's wonderful gift, a
natural limestone cave which calls as the Cathedral Cave. The Temple Cave
or Cathedral Cave is the best known and biggest of the Batu caves. The cave is said to be 400 million years
old with interior limestone ceiling that
is more than 100 m above the ground and is illuminated by daylight through
holes in the ceiling. Batu Caves was
founded to be a site for Hindu worship in 1890 by K. Thamboosamy Pillai. The
place is also the main location of Thaipusam festival in the country that
occurs every January or February every year.
|
Back of golden statue of Lord Murugan - Batu caves |
|
Batu Caves Malaysia |
|
Doves |
|
Lord Murugan Batu caves Malaysia |
|
Batu Caves Kuala Lumpur Malaysia |
|
Batu Caves Malaysia |
|
Batu Caves Malaysia |
|
Batu Caves Malaysia |
|
Steep staircase to Batu Caves |
Upon entering the cave you will
see some stalls that sell souvenirs, clothes, and other snacks. While inside
the cave, you will see Hindu shrine which is dedicated to Lord Murugan. The
entire place felt very sacred since there were some Indians worshipping at that
time jibed with the light effects of the cave. Walk your way through to the
rear cavern and you will be delighted seeing a natural opening that allows
light to sneak-in in the rest of the cave area. In this area offers great views
of rock formations. The
Hindu temples within the caves were pretty interesting that make the Batu Caves
very remarkable place to visit when in Kuala Lumpur.
|
Inside Batu Caves |
|
Inside Batu Caves |