Batu Caves: The Colourful Temple Cave

From a distance, it seems like people are walking over a rainbow. The colourful steps next to the tall Murugan statue lead to the popular Batu caves. The first time I visited Batu Caves in 2012, the steps weren’t colourful, but the recent art work has caught the attention of photographers as well as travellers. Batu caves are huge limestone hills with a few caves and a couple of shrines inside them. Dating to more than 400 million years, these caves leave every visitor spellbound after the steep climb.

The massive statue of Lord Muruga, who is also referred as Subrahmanya can be seen from a distance as you approach Batu caves. The gold coated 140 feet high statue at the base of the caves is the tallest Muruga statue in the world. This popular tourist attraction near Kuala Lumpur is swarmed by numerous fluttering pigeons that are fed by the visitors.

A steep flight of 272 colourful steps leads to the entrance of the caves. Gasping for breath after that climb, one would find themselves transported to the neolithic age. The insides of this natural wonder are a treat for every geologist and as well as visitors. The sunlight seeping through the holes in the ceiling, the water dripping down from the tip of the stalactites and the pungent smell would take you back to the pages of your geography textbook from school. The view from the entrance of the cave looks surreal with darkness engulfing the area and a beam of sunlight piercing down a huge opening, which is indeed a jaw dropping frame. The inside of the cave is as big as a football ground with natural lighting except for the ones near the shrines.  

The place looks divine with minimal sound and devotees lost in prayers. The crowd is always a mix of local Tamil Malays who come to pay obeisance, Indian tourists and western backpackers. The caves are also known for the notorious macaques who are quick to snatch away a food packet from visitors.

A fleet of steps further leads to a few more shrines. However this place isn’t as dark as the first landing area as it is open to the sky with light percolating through. Wet floors, hazy lights, craggy walls and over grown flora makes the place absolutely surreal. While the pilgrims head to the shrines, the travellers are mostly seen taking photographs and gawking at the natural formation in oblivion.

This shrine is thronged by pilgrims during the annual Thaipusam festival which is held during January- February every year. Devotees smeared in ash, clad in yellow, carrying decorated carriers (Kaavadi) and with body piercing head to this temple, making the festival a huge celebration. 

Other than the main cave there are also a few more caves which are to the left of the steps. However, due to various reasons, these caves have remained shut and aren’t accessible anymore.

Batu caves might seem like a tall climb initially, but the climb is a pretty moderate one and isn't a tough ask as it might seem to be. It should not take more than 15-20 minutes to reach the top. The climb is definitely worth it as the frames atop are absolutely gorgeous with wonderful natural formations.

How to reach Batu Caves:

Located in Gombak in Selangor, Batus Caves is 16 Kms away from Kuala Lumpur. The easiest option to reach Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur is to take a train from KL Sentral. One can also hire a taxi from Kuala Lumpur to reach the caves.

Tips for Travellers:

• The temple is open on all days from 6 AM to 9 PM.
• Though the caves are known for its geological formations, it is more popular as a temple and it is recommended to dress modestly.
• Do not carry any edible item or food packets in your hand while climbing the steps and inside the caves. The monkeys are sure to snatch them away.

P.S.: I was hosted by Tourism Malaysia during my visit to Batu Caves.

Colours of Faith!

Batu Caves, Malaysia. September 2018

Smile Please...!!

Batu Caves, Malaysia. January 2012

The Temple Cave...!!

The massive statue of Lord Subrahmanya can be seen from a distance as you approach Batu caves. The gold coated 140 feet high statue of Subrahmanya at the entrance of Batu caves is the tallest in the world. It looks magnificent and I found the Lord's serene expression a delight to capture. The place is quite a popular tourist attraction with many hotels and shops selling temple paraphernalia in the surroundings. Also freely flying around were numerous pigeons who were being fed by the visitors. All have to climb a steep flight of 272 steps to reach the entrance of the cave.

Batu caves are huge limestone hills with numerous caves and temples inside them. Dating to more than 400 million years, these caves had me spellbound and gawking at them in astonishment. Gasping for breath after that treacherous climb, I suddenly found myself transported to the neolithic age and had it not been for the people moving around, I would seriously have had myself lost in those beautiful caves. The huge stalactites inside those natural wonders is a treat for every archeologist. The sunlight seeping through the holes in the ceiling, water dripping down from the tip of the stalactites and the pungent smell took me back to the pages of my geography books.  

The view from the entrance of the cave looks surreal with darkness engulfing the area and a beam of sunlight piercing down a huge opening. That was indeed a jaw dropping and eye popping scene, the ones that I have witnessed only in movies. The inside of the cave is bigger than a football ground with no lighting other than the ones near the temples. The place looks so divine with minimal sound and devotees lost in prayers. I was in time for the Abhishekam (ritual of pouring milk, water, turmeric paste etc over the deity) along with the huge crowd that had gathered to witness the same. It is a long procedure where the priest went about his duties and the devotees prayed, clicked photographs, gawked at the caves and fed a few monkeys which were littering around. The crowd was a mixture of local Tamilians, Indian travellers like me and then the amazed western backpackers.

A few steps further up from this temple took me to a higher platform which had a few more deities. However this place wasn't as dark as the earlier one as it was open to the sky and the only sound which had a high decibel was of the fluttering of the pigeons. Wet floors, dim lights and over grown flora made the ambiance so unearthly. I stood awestruck for a long time gaping at the natural wonder and pinching myself to make sure that I was still very much on planet earth.

This place becomes active during the annual Thaipusam festival which is held during January- February. Devotees smeared in ash, clad in yellow, carrying decorated carriers (Kaavadi) and with body piercing throng this Subrahmanya temple, making the festival a huge celebration every year. 

 

Other than this main cave there are also a few more caves which you see see as you climb up those unending steps. The dark cave, Ramayana cave and museum cave are the famous ones. Dark cave allows visitors to go deep in and explore them with a guide. That should definitely be an adventurous experience. Bats, monkeys and other animals supposedly are still present deep inside the caves. There are also a few temples along with a huge Hanuman statue at the foot of the huge cave. Along with caving, these caves also offer numerous rock climbing routes.

 

Dark cave

Batu caves is a refreshing experience and no words or photos can describe what you will go through after climbing those numerous steep steps. If in Kuala Lumpur, please make sure to not miss this amazing limestone cave temple. Those steep steps might not be encouraging, but after conquering them, you would definitely say "It was worth the climb".

Signing Note: I wish I had lived in the age of Neanderthal people...!!