Batu Caves

Overview

Batu Caves is a limestone karst hill containing a series of Hindu temple caves roughly 13 km north of KL's centre. The site's centrepiece is the 43-metre golden statue of Lord Murugan guarding 272 rainbow-painted steps that lead to the Cathedral Cave.

Highlights

• Lord Murugan statue: The tallest Murugan statue in the world, unveiled in 2006, covered in 300 litres of gold paint.
• Cathedral Cave (Temple Cave): A cavernous chamber 100 metres high housing Hindu shrines illuminated by shafts of natural light.
• Dark Cave: A separate guided eco-tour through 2 km of undeveloped passages rich in rare fauna.

History

The caves have been a place of worship since 1891 when K. Thamboosamy Pillai dedicated them to Lord Murugan. Every January–February, the Thaipusam festival draws over a million pilgrims who carry kavadi offerings up the stairs.

Visitor Tips

• Monkeys: Macaques are aggressive—secure food and bags.
• Early morning: Arrive before 09:00 to beat tour buses and heat.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.