Batu Caves

Batu Caves (28 December, 2006)


B. Melayu

Batu Caves (GPS: 3.23796, 101.68418), is a massive limestone cave that also houses a Hindu temple complex. Located 13 km north of Kuala Lumpur, it is the biggest venue for the Thaipusam celebrations in Malaysia, and is one of the major tourist attractions in Selangor. The neighbourhood where the caves are located has also taken the name Batu Caves. Batu Caves is one of those places in Malaysia whose name is a combination of words in Malay and English with related meanings. Batu means stone in Malay, so Batu Caves could well mean stone caves. The name also refers to Kampung Batu, the village in the area. Other similar combination in place names includes Muka Head. I have visited Batu Caves several times, and most recently I explored it once more with my wife when we were documenting the sights in Selangor for this website.

Batu Caves got its name because it is located within the Batu area - that's the area drained by Sungai Batu, which also gives its name to Kampung Batu and further south, Batu Road, though Batu Road has since been renamed Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

Bust of Mr K. Thambusamy, the founder of the Sri Maha Mariamman Dhevasthanam Temple. (28 December, 2006)

About Batu Caves

Batu Caves were first discovered by an American explorer by the name of William Hornaby in 1891. Ten years later, the local Indians persuaded the British authorities to allow them to use the caves as a Hindu place of worship. A shrine was built in honor of the deity Lord Murugan, also known as Lord Subramaniam. In later years, another shrine was added, dedicated to the elephant-head deity Ganesh.

The main cavern of Batu Caves is also known as the Cathedral Cave, due to the height of its ceiling. This main cavern is reached by a steep flight of steps that total 272. Until the completion of the new Balathandayuthapani temple building in Penang, this was the longest flight of steps of any Hindu temples in the country. From the top of the steps, one can get a good view of the northern part of Kuala Lumpur. About 2/3 of the way up the steps is a path leading to Dark Cave, which has narrow passages full of bats. Tours to Dark Caves can be booked by calling +60 12 430 7011 or email enquiry@darkcaves.com.my

When I was there, an audio recording was blared repeating over and over, "Dark Cave! Opening now! Come and have a look!" The announcement was so fast it sounded initially like a chant.

Batu Caves are busiest during Thaipusam, a Hindu festival celebrated during full moon in the month of Thai, which falls roughly between mid-January to mid-February. This is when devotees ascend Batu Caves carrying kavadi (meaning "burdens") as a form of penance.

How to go to Batu Caves

Batu Caves is located off the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2). Coming from the west, exit the MRR2 at 3.23492, 101.68041, and from the east, at 3.23527, 101.684. Take the exit ramp off the MRR2.

Batu Caves is on the map of the tourist attractions of Selangor

Archway into the Batu Caves temple. (28 December, 2006)


The shrine at the foot of the steps. (28 December, 2006)


Mammoth statue of the Hindu deity Murugan. (28 December, 2006)


Looking back at the entrance arch. (28 December, 2006)


Entrance to Dark Caves, where caving expeditions are carried out. (28 December, 2006)


View up the 272 steps of Batu Caves. (28 December, 2006)


Entrance into Batu Caves, at the top of the 272 steps. (28 December, 2006)


Statue of a deity in one of the niches on the cliff. (28 December, 2006)


Entering the cavernous interior of Batu Caves. (28 December, 2006)


Looking back from inside Batu Caves. (28 December, 2006)


Small shrines inside Batu Caves. (28 December, 2006)


Passage through the main section of the cave. (28 December, 2006)


Looking down from the second flight of stairs. (28 December, 2006)


The innermost sanctuary of Batu Caves. (28 December, 2006)


Another view of the innermost sanctuary. (28 December, 2006)

Back to Discover Selangor; list of Hindu temples in Selangor and Hindu temples in Malaysia; Cave temples in Selangor and Cave temples in Malaysia

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About this website

Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

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