Batu Caves (Lord Murugan Temple)
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Guarded by a monumental statue of the Hindu deity Lord Murugan, the Batu Caves are a Malaysian national treasure and an unmissable day trip from Kuala Lumpur.
These limestone caves harbor Hindu temples where dioramas of mythic scenes glow beneath stalactites, bats flutter in the shadows, and monkeys prey on tourists hiking the 272 stairs to Temple Cave.
This is one of the tourist attractions that must not be missed by first-time travelers to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The best time to visit is early morning as there are fewer tourists. We arrived at 7.00 am and there were very few crowds and it wasn’t too hot climbing the stairs.
The monkeys were also asleep when we arrived but emerged when we were on the way down. Very cute, but definitely be careful not to feed or approach them, as they can get a bit aggressive.
The ancient Hindu temple lies embedded in a limestone hill guarded by a gigantic golden statue of Lord Murugan. The rainbow-colored steps leading up to the cave temple are good for perfect picturesque.
There are around 272 steps up to the main temple which is colorfully painted and very steep. Don’t try sprinting up the steps because you will soon be out of breath. There are landings after every 13 or so steps. The not-so-fit folk can catch their breath on these landings.
We were both very hot and sweaty by the time we reached the top and the views are also pretty cool.
A temple priest offers prayers to the deities in the temple. The good thing is that pilgrims do not have to pay any fees for the services rendered by the priest. A donation box is, however, placed outside the temple.
The environment inside is cold and comfortable during the morning day. The view is breathtaking.
The cave itself is very large, the rock and limestone formations are amazing to see and the entire area is surprisingly clean.
The Caves were so beautiful with more Hindu shrines and statues.
The overwhelming beauty shines through in the beautiful colors and ornate architecture adorning every inch of the temples and statues. It’s as though you can feel the love, care, and respect that the Hindu people have just by looking around.
There are pilgrims praying in the temples. The place is very peaceful. This is a great spiritual experience.
The cave is particularly beautiful and impressive. Especially the far one where the roof has completely caved in and the light has allowed plants to colonize.
For travelers who want to plan their visit in advance, then the best month to visit is during the Thaipusam festival. This festival is held once every year. Either in January or February. Travelers may check out the actual date of the event from the Internet. Just key in Thaipusam festival Malaysia or check with a local tour agency.
There is also a dress code to visit this place, therefore it is important for travelers to be respectful particularly when it comes to what they wear.
- Wear comfortable attire (no revealing attire)
- A T-shirt or shirt with sleeves is fine
- Long Pants are fine
- Do not wear Short Pants or Hot Pants
- Do not wear Short Skirts or Mini Skirts (above knee level)
The Batu Caves were truly a remarkable sight and everyone visiting Kuala Lumpur should definitely take the time to visit.
Things to Know Before visiting the Batu Caves
- Admission to Batu Caves is free.
- The caves are open all year from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm
- The best time to visit the place is in the morning around 7.00 am – 8.00 am
- The area is not very handicap-accessible, so senior travelers may have difficulty getting up the stairs to the entrances.
- The wild caves are very muddy; bring a change of clothes if you plan to take any of the spelunking tours.
- There are stalls and restaurants offering Indian food outside the entrance of the Batu Caves.
- Bring your own drinking water
Getting here
Train
- Take the KTM Komuter Sentul-Port Klang line (red on transit maps) north to the Batu Caves Komuter station.
