Visit Batu Caves
Visit Batu Caves on your trip to Malaysia and be swept away by the immensity of this 400 million-year-old limestone cave. Dive into ancient history, as it’s home to the largest Hindu temple in Malaysia and offers a unique cultural experience unlike anything else. It is quick and easy to get there – situated just 15 km outside the city, it is convenient for even those with a busy travel schedule. Don’t forget to include Batu Caves in your list of places to visit in Malaysia and prepare for a day of exploration, discovery, and unforgettable memories!
6 Tips for Visiting Batu caves
Batu Caves is a must-see destination in Malaysia that offers visitors the chance to explore stunning limestone caves and visit a Hindu temple. If you are planning to visit Batu Caves, here are 6 tips on how to make the most of your trip:
- Plan ahead: Batu Caves can get crowded, especially during major festivals and holidays. To avoid the crowds, visit Batu Caves during the week or outside of peak tourist season. You should also plan your visit to ensure enough time to explore the caves and temple.
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes: The caves can be hot and humid, and you may need to climb stairs to reach the upper cave temple. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for the weather and terrain.
- Please bring water: The caves can be pretty tiring, and it is crucial to stay hydrated. So be sure to bring plenty of water to keep you energized during your visit.
- Follow the rules: The caves and temples are sacred places, and respecting the Hindu temple rules is essential. Be sure to follow the Batu Caves dress code, which requires visitors to cover their shoulders and knees. You should also remove your shoes before entering the temple.
- Take a guided tour: If you want to learn more about the history and cultural significance of Batu Caves, consider taking a guided tour. This will allow you to learn about the caves and temple in more depth, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain insights from a knowledgeable guide.
- Combine two tours: Combine visiting Batu Caves with another trip, such as watching fireflies in Kuala Selangor or Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, which will boast your tour experience and value for money. Malaysian private tour guides can customize your tour itinerary.
Best Time To Visit Batu Caves
Here are a few factors to consider when deciding when to visit Batu Caves:
- Batu Cave Opening Hours: Batu Caves open daily from 0700 – 1900
- Weather: The weather in Malaysia is generally hot and humid year-round, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C. However, the monsoon season from November to December can bring heavy rain, which may make visiting the caves less enjoyable. The dry season from February to October is typically the best time to visit, as the weather is more pleasant and there is less chance of rain.
- Crowds: Batu Caves can get quite crowded, especially during major festivals and holidays. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit during the weekdays or outside of peak tourist season.
- Festivals: If you are interested in experiencing the cultural festivals at Batu Caves, you should plan your visit around the major festivals. Thaipusam is a major Hindu festival at the temple in late January or early February. This festival attracts thousands of visitors and can be pretty crowded.
How To Get To Batu Caves?
- Public transportation: Batu Caves can also be reached by public transport, such as taxis, komuter trains, and E-hailing car services. The nearest train station is Batu Caves KTM Komuter Station, which is connected to the city center by a network of commuter trains. You can walk to the caves from the train station.
- By tour: If you prefer a more organized and hassle-free way to visit Batu Caves, you can join a tour. Various tour operators offer full-day or half-day tours of the caves and surrounding areas. These tours typically include transportation, a guided tour, and other amenities.
History of Batu Caves
Before we delve into the history of Batu Caves, let’s understand the meaning of the place’s name. The name Batu Caves is so unique because it combines Malay and English. Combining two different languages for the name of a site is neither common nor awkward as long as it does not offend any party.
The word “Batu” in the Malaysian language means a hard non-metallic object from the earth, such as a rock or stone. But the name of Batu Caves is given in conjunction with the name of a tributary that flows across a limestone hill called Sungai Batu.
For centuries limestone caves served as a place of respite and solace for three distinct indigenous tribes – Temiar, Jakun, and Semai during the hunting season in the surrounding area. Yet in 1860, the natural serenity was disrupted by Chinese farmers mining bird droppings inside it to harvest fertilizer. As a result, this mining activity affects the structure of the caves. Thankfully, the Malaysian Nature Society intervened to stop this activity from damaging its caves structure further!
History of the Establishment of Hindu Temples in Batu Caves
The temple’s history at Batu Caves dates back to the late 1800s. Mr. K. Tambusamy Pillay founded the first Hindu temple in Batu Caves. He was a descendant of Indian immigrants who migrated to Malaya during British rule.
According to an unconfirmed folk story, one night, Mr. Tambusamy dreamed of being visited by Goddess Parvati. She ordered him to build a temple for his son Lord Murugan. As a pious person, he felt the request was an honor.
He had already built a private temple in China Town, and the site for the second temple must be unique and special for the second temple project. So Mr. Tambusamy went to many places looking for the best location. Finally, after visiting Batu Caves, he decided the upper caves were the perfect place for the latest project.
Why Made Batu Caves Special?
Upon his initial visit to Batu Caves, K.thambusamy was amazed by the cave’s natural structure and surrounding area, which is an ideal place to build a Hindu temple.
- The entrance to the main cave has the shape of a Vel. Vel in Tamil means a spear that has been consecrated use by Lord Muruga uses it to fight evil spirits. His mother gifted him this spear.
- Located 120 meters above street level, Upper Cave offers a spiritual elevation that brings worshippers closer to the divine. Its elevated position also protects from flooding while reinforcing an age-old belief that altitude equals holiness.
- Spanning a whopping 250 meters in length and boasting an impressive 100-meter height, the spacious main cave of this location provides plenty of room to accommodate religious ceremonies with numerous attendees.
- A stream nearby is suitable for purification before starting the Kavadi procession during Thaipusam.
In 1888, En. Thambusamy installs a Murti of Lord Murugan’s in the main cave. In 1891, the first Thaipusam festival was held at Batu Caves.
Batu Caves Attractions
Thaipusam Festival
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated by Tamil communities around the world, and one of the most well-known celebrations takes place at the Batu Caves in Malaysia. The festival is held in honor of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war, and involves elaborate rituals, ceremonies, large crowds, and colorful processions.
The Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves begins with the procession of the statue of Subramania Swamy from Mahamariamman temple in Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves. From there, devotees make their way to the caves, often accompanied by music and dance. The journey to the caves can be quite strenuous, as it involves climbing a steep flight of stairs, and many devotees fast or abstain from certain foods in the days leading up to the festival as a form of devotion.
Once at the caves, devotees participate in various rituals and ceremonies, including prayer, offerings, and the carrying of kavadis. The celebration culminates with a grand procession through the streets of Kuala Lumpur, where devotees and onlookers alike can enjoy the vibrant sights and sounds of the festival.
Lord Murugan Statue
The Lord Murugan statue at Batu Caves is a towering monument that is a popular attraction for tourists and devotees of the Hindu deity Lord Murugan. The statue stands at a towering 42.7 meters (140 feet) tall and is made of 1550 cubic meters of concrete, 300 liters of gold paint, and 300 iron rods.
The statue was built to commemorate the installation of the Sri Murugan statue at the entrance of the main cave temple at Batu Caves. The statue was erected in 2006 and was consecrated by Dato’ K.S. Nallakaruppan. The consecration ceremony was attended by thousands of devotees, who participated in a procession carrying milk pots, flowers, and coconuts to the statue’s base as offerings to Lord Murugan.
Lord Murugan is the son of Shiva and Parvati and is considered to be the god of war, victory, and wisdom in Hinduism. He is also revered as the patron deity of the Tamil people and is widely worshipped in South India and Sri Lanka. The statue at Batu Caves represents Lord Murugan, as he is traditionally depicted in Hindu art, with a tall and muscular build.
Biggest Donation Box in The World
The Lord Murugan Temple at Batu Caves is home to the world’s most oversized pot-shaped donation box, standing at the height of 2.5 meters and able to accommodate up to 10 individuals. The donation box was introduced in 2018 as a replacement for the previous boxes found throughout the temple grounds and served as a means for visitors to contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of the Batu Caves. We encourage those visiting Batu Caves to consider donating to the temple.
Hanuman Temple
Visiting Batu Caves is an incredible experience. It is not just any ordinary tourist spot but is a sacred site for Hindus. Inside the complex lies a beautiful Hanuman Temple. Hanuman, a central figure in Hindu mythology, is revered as a deity in Hinduism and is depicted as a powerful monkey-like being with great strength and the ability to fly. According to Hindu mythology, he is the son of the god Vayu, the god of the wind.
Hanuman is known for his devotion to Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu. He played a crucial role in helping Lord Rama rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana, who had abducted her. Hanuman is known for his bravery and loyalty and is considered a symbol of selflessness and devotion in Hinduism.
An artisan from India built an impressive Hanuman statue standing at 20 meters. The statue and temple were consecration on November 17, 2012.
Rainbow Staircase
The first wooden staircase heading to the main caves was built in 1920. However, after ten years of exposure to humidity and sun, the wooden steps start showing signs of wear and tear. So, in 1939, the temple management built a two-flight concrete staircase heading to the upper cave. It was fully completed a few weeks before the Thaipusam celebration in 1940. Later, the staircase flight was added to support prominent Hindu devotees visiting Batu Caves during the Thaipusam celebration.
In August 2018, another staircase flight was added. Today Batu Caves has four flights of stairs with 272 steps heading to the cathedral cave. In addition, the staircase was beautifully painted with different colors. Highly recommended that tourists take a photo on the steps before starting climbing. You will look sweaty and hagged after climbing the steps.
Colorful Temple
In 2018, the temple management at Batu Caves in Malaysia decided to give traditional Hindu temples a new look and show local and worldwide visitors how vibrant and colorful Hinduism is. All the temples in Batu Caves were given a makeover with various eye-catching colors, and the results of this bold endeavor have been quite successful.
Before Covid 19 arrived in 2020, an estimated 6,000 foreign and local tourists visited Batu Caves daily, making it the most famous Hindu temple in Malaysia. Visit Batu Caves to peek at colorful history while also going on an eye-opening cultural journey!
Upper Caves
The Upper Caves or Cathedral caves at Batu Caves are a part of a series of limestone caves systems. To reach the upper caves, tourists need to climb the flight of 272 steps knowns as the rainbow stairs. The Upper Caves at Batu Caves are an important cultural and religious site for the Hindu community in Malaysia. The caves are home to several shrines and temples.
In addition to the shrines and temples, the Upper Caves at Batu Caves are also home to some natural limestone formations. These include stalactites and stalagmites.
The Upper Caves at Batu Caves are a popular tourist destination and are visited by thousands of people each year. They are also an important cultural and religious site for the Hindu community in Malaysia, and they are often used for religious ceremonies and festivals.
Gopuram
Whenever you visit Batu Caves, you must go through underneath the arch heavily decorated with various diety. Hindu peole call it Gopuram. Gopuram is the Sanskrit word for temple portal. This portal, bearing sculptures of deities representing the different aspects of Godhood, occurs at the front of the staircase leading to the temple cave and dark cave.
Visit Batu Caves FAQ
How many steps are Batu Caves?
Visitors ascend to the top of these natural caves by climbing 272 steps from the base. This climb takes about 15 to 20 minutes and provides some stunning views as you make your way up.
Are the Batu Caves worth visiting?
Absolutely! The Batu Caves are one of the most incredible places to visit in Malaysia, with its stunning Hindu temple and breathtaking limestone formations. Located in Selangor state, just 13 km or 25 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur. So visiting Batu Caves is worth it whether you’re an adventure seeker or simply looking for a spiritual experience.
Who built Batu Caves?
Historical records suggest that much of what can be seen today at Batu Caves was built during colonial times by Tamil laborers from India working on railway construction projects near Kuala Lumpur between 1878-1888s under the leadership of an Indian businessman named K Thamboosamy Pillai.
Conclusion
All in all, the Batu Caves are among the many best places to visit in Selangor. With its unique features and rich history, there’s no doubt that you’ll enjoy your time here. Follow the tips we’ve provided so you can have a hassle-free visit. Have fun!
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