Stairways to Batu Caves

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

Inside Batu Caves

Batu Caves Malaysia

Batu Caves Malaysia

Limestone formation of Batu Caves

Batu Caves

Batu Caves Malaysia

Open Ceiling Batu Caves Malaysia

 

Batu Caves Malaysia

Batu Caves Malaysia