Dating back 400 million years, the Batu Caves are a network of limestone caves that have enamoured naturalists and explorers since the 1800s. Legend has it that the mouth of the cave resembled the head of a spear and thus, it was dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Hindu God of War whose primary weapon was a spear.
Situated right on the northern edge of Kuala Lumpur, the caves jut out from where they are nestled within a cluster of hills in the suburb of Gombak. Although most renowned for its Temple Cave, Batu Caves is in fact composed of three main caverns: Temple Cave, Dark Cave and Art Gallery Cave. By the 1920s, the number of pilgrims flocking to the site had drastically surged; A set of wooden stairs were set up to aid in their journey up to the temple cave, but as the number of visitors kept growing, they were eventually reinforced into the famed concrete stairs of the present.
In 2006, a 140-feet statue of Lord Murugan was built and slathered over in gold: It stands glinting in the sun, to the right of the stairs, and has been claimed to hold the title of being the world’s tallest Lord Murugan statue. Then, making your way up the 272 steps, declared a strenuous activity by some challengers and a breeze by others, you’ll encounter enthusiastic monkeys attempting to charm you for food.
Today, the Batu Caves are one of the most significant religious sites in Hinduism outside of India and sees almost 5,000 visitors daily. From directions and the expected dress code to the caves’ famed resident monkeys, this guide will have you covered.
Getting to Batu Caves
The most affordable and efficient way to get to Batu Caves is by the KTM Komuter Train. Starting from KL Sentral Station, purchase a ticket for KTM Line 1 in the direction of Batu Caves — it is the 8th stop from KL Sentral and the journey will take about 30 minutes, costing less than RM 5. Once arrived at Batu Caves Station, look for the giant, golden statue of Lord Murugan and simply head in that direction.
Alternatively, you can hop on a cab to Batu Caves, which would take about 20 minutes from the city centre. To avoid having to bargain with taxi drivers, it’s recommended to use Grab. This method would set you back considerably more than using the KTM Komuter Train but does come with increased convenience, as you would not need to make your way to KL Sentral Station and you would be dropped off right in front of Batu Caves.
Dress Code
As Batu Caves is essentially a place of worship and a religious site, it’s required for visitors to be appropriately attired. Similar to most other Southeast Asian cities, the temple etiquette does not deviate too much: A conservative dress code is in order — pants should fall below the knee, the midriff should not be revealed, and no short sleeves or slippers are allowed. In case visitors do not meet the required dress code, a scarf rental is available at the entrance of the caves; Tie the scarf around your waist and be on your way.
Don’t Feed the Monkeys
For some, encountering these charming macaques on the way up the 272 steps could very well be the highlight of their visit to Batu Caves. However, it’s important to note that caution should be exercised even while stealing a few snapshots of them. The monkeys are hungry and will approach humans in hopes of being fed; Many tourists have obliged and given food to these monkeys, thus a majority of them are now tamed and as a result, do not fear humans — this causes them to get aggressive at times.
Being intelligent beings, these monkeys are constantly on the lookout for food, and will try to take your things; The rustle of a plastic bag, dangling keychains and the crunch of a plastic bottle all serve as reasons for them to approach you. On top of that, many have testified to witnessing these monkeys open backpacks, so make sure to keep your belongings close.
The Caves
Undoubtedly the main attraction of Batu Caves, the temple cave is what most travellers have journeyed to visit. Upon scaling the colourful 272 steps — an arduous but rewarding pilgrimage — the majestic Temple Cave comes into view. It’s quite a grand affair: Its entrance is dominated by a shrine and the area encompasses a huge, lofty chamber. Boasting a ceiling of over 300 feet, the cave is home to numerous Hindu shrines and elaborate paintings depicting old legends. From above, millions of years have dripped into beautiful, hanging stalactites.
A few steps below the Temple Cave is the Dark Cave: Operating as a conservation site, the cave is preserved as is and shelters bats, a snake, various insects that are endemic to Batu Caves, as well as one of the rarest spiders in the world — the trapdoor spider. It’s a facility aimed at scientific and educational interests; In the past, scientists exploring and studying the caves used to be guides for educational and adventure tours offered by the Dark Cave. However, as of current, the Dark Cave is no longer accessible to the public until further notice.
Then, making your way across a beautiful bridge suspended above a pond teeming with koi fish and tortoises, you’ll arrive at the Art Gallery Cave. Here, take the time to stroll past religious statues and admire paintings that tell the stories of Hindu deities; On the walls, Hindu mythology is generously displayed in the form of elaborate murals. Before you leave, try to spot the statue of the five-legged bull: Its owner had given it away to Batu Caves upon noticing the fifth leg growing from its back, but the bull went on to live a rather pleasant and healthy life, roaming the temple grounds until it died naturally from old age.
Once you’ve had your fill of the city and feel as if you’ve resorted to wandering aimlessly around Kuala Lumpur’s mega malls, an excursion to Batu Caves is in order. Not only are the caves iconic to the city, they also offer splendid photo opportunities with their picturesque setting and ancient, hanging stalactites — No trip to Kuala Lumpur is complete without a visit to Batu Caves.
