Batu Caves

Batu caves

Batu Caves are giant caves that are 45 minutes by car north of Kuala Lumpur, just off the road to Ipoh, in limestone cliffs hidden in the forest. They were “discovered” in 1878 by a group of explorers. During World War II, the caves sheltered communist guerrillas fighting the Japanese. Today, the caves are considered a Hindu shrine and are visited by the faithful during the Thaipusam festival celebrated at the beginning of each year.

General Information

The Batu Caves are many imposing limestone caves that attract botanists and zoologists eager to study their unique flora and fauna, but only three of them are accessible to the general public. At the top of a staircase of 272 steps is Temple Cave, the most impressive of these three Butu caves, with architectural columns of towering stalactites and stalagmites. At the base of the hill above the Koi Pond, a bridge sprawls out leading to the Villa Cave with three inner galleries – Valluvar Kottam, where poems by the ancient Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar are inscribed on stone tablets, a reptile gallery and an art gallery displaying colorful statues of deities from the Hindu pantheon. There is a 15-minute dance performance every hour. After leaving the Temple Cave and walking about a third of the way down the stairs, turn right to take a tour of the Dark Cave – Ecosystem and Geological Formations. If you have a desire to continue exploring the cave and walk through the limestone passages, you will need to obtain a permit in advance.

Thaipusam Festival at Batu Caves

The Batu Caves are the center of a major Thaipusam festival honoring the Hindu god Murugan, who received a sacred spear to defeat the sources of evil.

Every January or February (depending on the phase of the moon), thousands of Hindus gather to repent for sins committed. The most ardent among them punish themselves by piercing their tongue or cheeks with sharp spokes or hooks. Some also carry kavadi (a design including peacock feathers and statuettes of the deity). Others hold jugs of milk, rose water, coconuts or sugarcane juice. During Thaipusam, about 500,000 people gather around the Batu Caves.

For tourists, the mere climb in the humid heat up the 272 steps to the entrance of the sacred caves can be penance enough.