My daughter informed me that she was going to Malaysia once again. But this time, she wanted me and her Mom to tag along. She told us that she would like to take us to Langkawi first and then Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. She had already booked our flight tickets and hotels. My wife and I had never been out of India before, so our happiness knew no bounds. Batu Caves is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia which every tourist would love to visit. Here, I will talk about my visit there.
As a family, we love travelling and my wife and I have seen exploring India for decades. We thoroughly understand the benefits of traveling, along with the joy and the experiences it brings along. We were very excited for this new adventure in Southeast Asia and happily started our preparations. We knew that this journey will not only refresh our minds but our give us an opportunity to spend time with our daughter and son-in-law. Also, I had heard a lot about Malaysia from my daughter, so I was curious to see it myself. The country is renowned for its rich cultural diversity, stunning natural landscapes, and iconic landmarks.
As part of my preparation, I also enjoyed searching the highlights of the capital city of Malaysia. While several blogs talked about the mega skyscrapers like KL tower, Petronas Twin Towers and Merdeka 118, the wonders of Merdeka Square, historical buildings, temples, mosques and Batu Caves caught my fancy. The statue of Lord Murugan looked very interesting in the pictures and I could recall my friend’s wife telling me about it. She had insisted that it should be must-visit place on the itinerary.
On the morning of 28th May 2024, we reached Kuala Lumpur, from where we had our connecting flight to Langkawi. We enjoyed the island vibes for 2 days and returned to Kuala Lumpur. In our 6 days, 5 nights trip, we spent three nights in Kuala Lumpur and two nights in Langkawi. The city of Kuala Lumpur still fascinates me. During this period, we visited Petronas Twin Towers, Chinese Temple, Batu Caves, local markets, malls, etc., explored the food and bought things of our choice.
Batu Caves: A Fascinating Destination
I had read that a huge Indian diaspora lives in Malaysia and it showed at the Batu caves. I was happy to see a huge number of Indians at the temple. The vibrant place was buzzing with locals and tourists.
Batu caves offer a rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and natural attractions in Kuala Lumpur. It is a limestone hill that contains a series of caves and cave temples in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia. The cave is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimage sites outside India and is dedicated to Lord Murugan, marked by a towering golden statue. It is the focal point of the Tamil festival Thaipusam in Malaysia. Lord Murugan is the son of Shiva and Parvati and is considered the God of war, victory, and wisdom in Hinduism. He is also worshipped as the patron deity of the Tamil people and is widely worshipped in South India and Sri Lanka. The idol in the Batu Caves represents Lord Murugan.
Batu Caves is also briefly called the 10th cave or hill for Lord Murugan as there are six important holy temples in India and four more in Malaysia. The other three in Malaysia are the Kallumalai Temple in Ipoh, Thanneeramalai Temple in Penang, and Sannasimalai Temple in Malacca. The Lord Murugan Temple at Batu Caves has the world’s largest pot-shaped donation box, which stands 2.5 meters high and can accommodate up to 10 people. These limestone rocks, over 400 million years old, were organically formed, creating the temple known today as the Batu Caves. The temple at the heart of the cave was constructed in the year 1920.
To reach to the top, you have to climb a little over 250 steps but it is all worth it. The colorful stairs add to the charm of the place. While climbing and alighting the steps, one gets to experience the authentic beauty of the limestones, the impressive architecture of the temple and its sculptures.
Religious belief of Batu Caves
For over a century, Hindus from all over the country come together at these caves during festivals to celebrate and pray as a community. With its magnificently built temples and statues set against the stunning backdrop of limestone hills, the Batu Caves are a sight to behold and a place not to be missed. A major Hindu festival- Thaipusam, is celebrated here with great pomp and show. It is marked by a procession to Batu cave where devotees perform acts of penance, including carrying kavadis (ornate frames). If you want to avoid the crowds during Thaipusam, head to the Batu Caves before 8:00 am on any day. Batu Caves is open daily from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. The best time to visit Batu Caves is in the morning or evening when the weather is cooler.
History of the Establishment of Hindu Temples in Batu Caves
The history of the temple in Batu Caves dates back to the late 1800s. Mr. K. Tambusamy Pillai built the first Hindu temple in Batu Caves. He was a descendant of Indian immigrants who moved to Malaya during British rule. According to an unconfirmed folk tale, one night Mr. Tambusamy dreamed that Goddess Parvati came to him. She ordered him to build a temple for her son Lord Murugan. As a pious man, he felt that this request was an honor to him.
He had already built a private temple in Chinatown, and he was looking for a unique and special place for the second temple project so Mr. Tambusamy visited many places in search of the best location. Eventually, he decided that the Upper Caves were the perfect place for the temple fo Lord Murugan.
A Visit To Batu Caves: An Enriching Experience
Batu Caves is not just a tourist destination; it is a place where history, spirituality, and natural beauty meet together. With its mesmerizing temples, breathtaking caves, and cultural significance, a visit to Batu Caves offers an enriching experience unlike any other place. Despite the tiring climb, the effort is truly worthwhile. One can have an even more wonderful time if they visit during the festival of Thaipusam.
During this time, you will get a chance to see thousands of Hindus coming together to pray and perform religious ceremonies to celebrate the occasion. You will also be enthralled by the joyous festivities ranging from live music to the thrilling atmosphere brought by the people collectively. Apart from the famous temple, Batu Caves is also known for several other attractions that tourists can explore. Located on the far left, Ramanya Cave is renowned for its psychedelic diorama. The Cave Villa situated at the foot of the hill takes you through a koi pond as well as a water garden on its elevated path.
Visitors can also enjoy hourly dance performances, statues, and temples dedicated to Hindu gods. The Dark Cave, located on the 204th step, stretches for more than 2 kilometers. Visitors can opt for a guided tour for an in-depth exploration of the wonders of the Dark Cave.
You have to be careful of the monkeys there. Herds of monkeys can be seen running from the bottom of the stairs to the temple entrance, or around the grounds. Right in front of the temple, you are welcomed with flocks of pigeons and they add an interesting element to all your pictures.
Located in Gombak, Selangor, Batu Caves is easily accessible via public transport. The distance from Kuala Lumpur city is not so far. Even you can reach there easily by KTM Komuter train. You will find your destination just a 5-minute walk from there. If you want to avoid the train, you can also take a bus to reach Batu Caves. Visitors can also travel to Batu Caves by car as there is ample parking space.
In 2018, the temple management of Batu Caves in Malaysia decided to give the 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 redesigned with various attractive colors. It is estimated that around 6,000 foreign and local tourists visit Batu Caves daily, making it the most famous Hindu temple in Malaysia.
Let me tell you, the experience of our trip was unparalleled. We had a great time and enjoyed every moment. We reduced our stress and improved our mental health creatively. We saw new places, met new people, and learned new things, experienced new cultures. This opportunity of traveling taught us to broaden our perspective with our experiences.
Do share your experiences of visiting Batu Caves. This post is written by Mr. Pramod Kumar Jaiswal (My Dad).
