Batu Caves Kuala Lumpur
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Location Info
Address: |
Batu Caves,
Sri Subramaniam Temple,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
Office Number: |
+603 6189 6284 |
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Location
Batu Caves is a limestone hill which is made up of a series of caves and also cave temples.
It is located in the Gombak District, just 13 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur. Its name was
taken from the Batu River which flows past the hill.
Overview
Batu Caves is one of the most renowned Hinde shrines located outside of India which is
dedicated to the Lord Murugan. Batu Caves is crowded with people especially during
Thaipusam festival. It is said that the limestone which forms the Batu Caves are as old
as 400 million years old. It was also said that some of the entrances of the caves used
to be shelters for the indigenous Temuan people. Before this, the steps up to
Batu Caves were made of wood. They were soon replaced by 272 concrete ones. Among all
the cave temples which make up the site, the most famous and the largest of them all
is the Cathedral Cave and it houses a few Hindu shrines underneath its 100-meter
vaulted ceiling.
The statue of Lord Murugan stands proud at 42.7 meters right outside of Batu Caves.
The statue costs about 24 million rupees and is made of 250 tonnes of steel bar, 300
liters of gold paint and 1550 cubic meters of concrete. At the base of the hill are
two other cave temples, Art Gallery Cave and Temple Cave which are both full of Hindu
paintings and statues. During the Thaipusam festival, devotees of the Lord Murugan
must first fast for a month and shave their heads before they can carry the kavadi
on Thaipusam. There are many other rules one must abide to for a month before they
are eligible to carry the kavadi and perform the kavadi attam which is a dance for
the Lord Murugan. It is during Thaipusam which attracts thousands of people
to Batu Caves
Non Hindus also come during Thaipusam to witness this unique festival and also
to take photographs for the colorful kavadis and its devoted kavadi-bearers.
The festival lasts the whole day. It is crowded every year without fail. Do stay
over at any hotels in Kuala Lumpur as there are more than these temples you
can visit. There are more attractions awaiting.
Transport
The most convenient way to reach Batu Caves is via KTM Komuter train from the KL Sentral.
You can also reach here via the Bus U6 from Titiwangsa. The easiest way is by taxi but that
will set you back at least RM25 from KL Sentral.
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