Your guide to the Batu Caves: A Must-Visit Hindu Shrine in Kuala Lumpur
Updated: Apr 3
Malaysia's Batu Caves are the setting for one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites outside of India. They are characterized by the incredible height and enormity of the caves, but even more so for the Instagrammable colourful steps (which really reminded us of the ones in Balat in Istanbul), and perhaps more strikingly, the iconic giant golden statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war, victory, and youth that the temple here is predominantly dedicated to.
The Batu Caves are around 400 million years old, and the temple here is the largest Hindu temple complex outside of India. They are one of the most visited attractions in Kuala Lumpur, attracting 10 million tourists every year. The statue of Lord Murugan is the third tallest Hindu statue in the world!
In this blog post, we share our highlights, and look at some history and top facts about this incredible cave system. We also include some things to know before visiting, how to get there, and also our exclusive guide to visiting Malaysia. We have some very special offers from our partners at Klook too!
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Our Batu Caves highlights
The statue is a striking sight, standing tall against the backdrop of the Batu Caves. It is a symbol of the Hindu faith in Malaysia and a reminder of the rich cultural diversity of the country. Unveiled in 2006, it was built by the Tamil Malaysians and also happens to be the tallest statue of a Hindu deity in Malaysia. In fact, it is the third tallest statue of a Hindu deity in the world, at 42.7 meters (140 feet) tall. This is certainly fitting given the fact that Malaysia has a stark penchant for wanting to build very tall things! (Merdeka Tower anyone?)
In all honesty we kind of thought it was a bat cave, perhaps a bit of a naïve assumption, but maybe an obvious one? Had you thought the same? Well, as it turns out ‘Batu’ actually means ‘Rock’ in Malay, which does makes sense when you think about it. When you know you know right!
Ergo there were indeed no bats, but a LOT of birds. When we say birds we mean pigeons, and when say a lot we literally mean hundreds of them. Or at least it felt that way anyway. Many of them are being attracted by food from locals, encouraging the throngs of children to run after them, sparking a wave of feathers and flapping. This leaves plenty of opportunities for tourists and locals alike to pose for photos as the birds fly around them. Not something we are in to, but you can certainly have at ‘em if that is your thing.
The ground is littered with bird poop, as are many of the surrounding temples, including the giant Lord Murugan. There are also a fair few monkeys loitering around, hanging from the surrounding temples, milling amongst the pigeons and holding a sharp eye for food, bottles and anything attractive that catches their eye. At first thought this seemed to be quite cute, but we have definitely heard the stories from other travellers and know to be weary of them.
To be fair, we have encountered a fair few monkeys here in Malaysia, in particular Langkawi, and also met plenty in Indonesia’s Bali where we were last month. We haven’t had any wild encounters of note, not to say we let our guards down but at the same time we are fairly calm about seeing them up close. All that being said, this experience was actually pretty wild; there were some pretty aggressive monkeys!
Baring teeth, hissing and bolting across the pavement seemingly from out of nowhere, we got a taste of the experience many had warned us about before we even hit the steps. So naturally we were a little more on edge, clinging onto our belongings and scanning our surroundings for any sign of danger.
After a fair few photos we went to the entrance, and we were pleasantly surprised to discover that there was no cost of entry. There is however a requirement for women to cover up their legs, and that can be done so by buying a wrap for 15 ringgits (at a small stall right at the foot of the stairs) if you do not already have one with you. They are actually quite nice, and the attendant will happily help put it on. Honestly, we would have paid that much for entry in a heartbeat, so we are glad we were able to contribute either way.
So after a deep breath or three, it was time to tackle the 272 steps to get up to these magnificent caves. It was late in the afternoon so it was far less crowded than it would be earlier in the day, although escaping crowds is one thing, but escaping the heat cannot be done. It is intense, and makes the climb that much harder!
With the greatest respect we were kind of shocked at how dirty it was, even though we had seen some interviews of tourists on YouTube talking about it. The stairs are well worn and the walls / rails fairly grimy, unsurprising given the incredible amount of traffic received annually here. Visitor numbers average almost 10 million per year outside of the covid era (that’s 5,000 per day).
The amount of litter was incredibly disappointing to see, and it was all over the place. On the stairs, along the sides, chucked into the mountain side. Some comes from monkeys stealing bottles and food, some comes from pilgrims, some comes from tourists. Whatever the source, this place really needs to be cleaned up and respected. We hope more can be done to deal with it because it is smelly and uncomfortable, not to mention bad for the environment and surrounding wildlife. Rant over!
Fortunately the steps are built with flat platforms every 15 steps or so, leaving plenty of opportunity for rest. We were trying not to take too long though, wary of our furry friends running around looking for an opportunity. Literally lining the stairs in places, these guys are very eager to grab anything that they take a shine too. In our case, Jenn's wrap!! One of the larger ones went for it, clinging on to her and trying to grab her bag, as she attempted to shake it off. Leon gave a few growls and hisses, and with a vice like grip Jenn managed to keep hold of it!
We ploughed on, made it to the top, and took a moment to take in the breath-taking views (and cool down a little). It is pretty magnificent up there, looking out at the incredible Kuala Lumpur skyline beneath a massive hood of rock that looks like it was hand sculpted by giants. The main cave chamber is so vast, it is hard not to look around without the bottom jaw hanging down. This really is one of natures finest, and it is very impressive.
Inside is fully paved, and there is a vast area to walk around in. Inside the first cave (the Temple Cave) there is a large temple, interesting lined with peacock statues, along with a bunch of roosters walking around (yes roosters), cooing and cock-a-doodle-dooing as they do. The roosters were fascinating to see as they were totally unexpected!
We must admit it did feel a little empty, although it may just be the vastness of the cave that made it that way. There are an estimated 332 life size statues of Hindu deities in what is the largest Hindu temple outside of India, although most of them seem to be outside of the caves themselves.
Further in there is another smaller staircase, this time leading to another hugely impressive cave, the Chamber of Ramayana, with a beautiful top opening allowing sunshine and vegetation to stream through. This cave is dedicated to the Hindu epic Ramayana and it contains a number of dioramas depicting scenes from the epic, and perhaps was our preferred one out of the two.
It is worth noting that there is another cave, known as the Dark Cave. This is a challenging cave to explore, as it is not lit and requires visitors to crawl through narrow passages. It is home to a variety of interesting cave formations, including stalactites and stalagmites. Unfortunately this one was closed (we are not sure why), so we were unable to explore it.
There was a lot to take in here, a great deal of exercise (those steps in the heat are a challenge), the uncomfortable smell of pigeon excrement, the sheer amount of litter and garbage, the awesome fact that it is FREE, the incredible vibrant colours, fine details and immense rock formations. Perhaps not our most favourite excursion in KL, but definitely one we will never forget, as much for the good as for the not so much!
The history of the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur
The Batu Caves are a series of limestone caves located in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia. They are about 13 kilometres (8 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, the nations capital. The caves are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Malaysia and are a place of pilgrimage for Tamil Hindus.
The history of the Batu Caves is long and complex. The limestone hills that form the caves are thought to be about 400 million years old. Some of the cave entrances were used as shelters by the indigenous Temuan people (a tribe of Orang Asli) as early as 2000 years ago.
In the 1860s, Chinese settlers began excavating guano from the caves to use as fertilizer. This led to the discovery of the caves by Western explorers. In 1878, the American naturalist William Temple Hornaday published an article about the caves in the journal The Straits Times. This article brought the caves to the attention of the wider world.
In 1891, K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian Tamil trader, was inspired by the vel-shaped entrance of the main cave to dedicate a temple to Murugan within the caves. Pillai also built a 272-step staircase leading up to the cave entrance. The temple and staircase were completed in 1892.
The Batu Caves have since become a major pilgrimage site for Tamil Hindus. The annual Thaipusam festival, which celebrates the birth of Murugan, is held at the caves. During the festival, millions of people from all over the world come to the caves to participate in the religious ceremonies.
The Batu Caves are a unique and fascinating place. They are a reminder of the rich history and culture of Malaysia, and the wonderful beauty of nature itself. Since the painting of the steps not so long ago, they have become a major tourist destination, alongside being a significant place of worship and reflection.
Read more: Dream Forest and the legends of Langkawi
Explore a 100 million year old forest with magical illuminations, projections & soundscapes telling the tale of the epic legends of Langkawi.
10 interesting facts about the Batu Caves
● The golden statue of Murugan was completed in 2006. It was built at a cost of RM2.5 million (US$600,000) and took 2 years to build.
● The statue of Murugan is the tallest statue of Murugan in the world at 43-meters (141 ft).
● The main temple cave is 400 feet (122 meters) high and 150 feet (46 meters) wide.
● There are a total of 3 cave complexes within the Batu Caves (The Temple Cave, The Dark Cave and The Ramayana Cave).
● The caves are home to a variety of plants and animals, including bats, spiders, and snakes.
● The Batu Caves are a popular spot for rock climbing and caving.
● The Batu Caves can attract an average of 5,000 visitors per day.
● During the Thaipusam festival, the number of visitors can reach over 1 million. In total, the Batu Caves attract an estimated 10 million visitors per year.
● There are 272 steps leading to the top of the caves.
● The steps are lines with a total of 332 Hindu gods and demon statues.
Batu Caves visiting times & entry requirements
Opening hours: 7am - 9pm daily.
The Hindu temples on site generally close from 1pm to 4pm.
The caves are free to enter, however you are able to leave a donation should you wish.
Women are required to cover their legs, and can purchase a sarong / wrap at the foot of the steps for 15 ringgits ($3).
Best time to visit the Batu Caves
Be prepared for crowds; the Batu Caves is a popular tourist destination, so it can get crowded, especially on weekends and during festivals.
Visit early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the crowds and the heat. Typically the busiest times are between 10am and 4pm.
⪢ The Thaipusam Festival
Thaipusam is an annual Hindu festival, observed on the day of the first full moon during the Tamil month of Thai, which falls in late January or February. It is a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur, along with the Malaysian states of Putrajaya, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Penang and Selangor.
Thaipusam is the busiest time for the Batu Caves, and is a spectacular event. Should you wish to try it next year, the date is currently scheduled for Thursday, 25th January (2024).
Tips for visiting Kuala Lumpur's Batu Caves
Here are some tips we have thought of to keep in mind before visiting the Batu Caves:
⪢ Wear suitable shoes
The caves themselves have a pretty even floor, so are easy to walk around in. The steps leading up to them however are fairly narrow, and may be tricky in flip flops, sandals or heels.
⪢ Dress Appropriately
Women are expected to dress modestly, especially when entering the temples. Wraps are provided at the bottom of the steps but are purchase only (cannot be returned).
⪢ Be respectful of the Hindu Shrines
Do not touch the statues, or disturb the offerings. Be mindful that ceremonies may be taking place, and always remove your shoes before stepping on the temple floors.
⪢ Photography
Visitors are free to take photographs and videos, however doing so inside the temples is not permitted.
⪢ Stay hydrated
Be prepared for the heat. It can get very hot in the caves, especially during the day. The stairs are also quite the climb, so take it easy and be sure to bring plenty of water.
⪢ Food and Refreshments
There are a few stores at the foot of the caves selling some drinks and snacks. It is a major tourist destination, so be prepared to pay premium prices. We advise buying in advance and bringing some with you.
How to get to the Batu Caves Kuala Lumpur
There are several ways to get to Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur. Here are some of the most popular options:
⪢ By Train
The Batu Caves KTM Komuter station is located just a short walk from the caves. The train ride from KL Sentral takes about 25 minutes and costs RM2.30 (US$0.50) one-way.
⪢ By Taxi or Ride-Sharing Services
Taxis are a convenient way to get to Batu Caves, but they can be expensive. The taxi fare from KL Sentral is around RM20 (US$4.50).
⪢ By Bus
There are several bus routes that stop near the Batu Caves. The bus ride from KL Sentral takes about 30 minutes and costs RM1.50 (US$0.30) one-way.
⪢ By Car
If you are driving, you can follow the signs to Batu Caves. There is a large parking lot near the caves that costs RM3 (US$0.60) per car.
Address: Gombak, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor
Watch our first impressions of Kuala Lumpur on YouTube
We were completely shocked by the stark contrast between the old and new of our first day out exploring in Kuala Lumpur! There is SO much to see and do. From the beauty of Petronas Twin Towers and the KLCC park and to the Senai KLCC Shopping Mall and the contrast to the Central Market in Chinatown, the shopping is vast and abundant!
We tried the monorail which was incredibly efficient and easy to use and Grab is too! We walked a lot and saw so many historical and beautiful sites in this one FIRST IMPRESSION day in this beautiful city!
Our Batu Caves experience rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
There is no doubt that the Batu Caves is a must-see destination in Kuala Lumpur. 10 million people a year kind of says it all! We were so very excited to come here and we are really glad we saved it towards the end of our trip.
The vibrant colours of the temples are quite beautiful and the intricacy of the statues and their detail is just fascinating to look at. Then of course you have the magnificent caves themselves amongst the tallest and oldest in the world. They simply took our breath away, as did the 272 steps! Mightily impressive, we highly recommend visiting the Batu Caves.
The only reason we reduced our rating to 4 stars is the lack of cleanliness here, and poor control of the monkeys. We are certain more could be done to clean the place up, and to monitor those who are chucking their trash everywhere. The lack of bins and security is definitely an issue. The fact that the Batu Caves are free to enter is great, but perhaps an entry fee might actually be a good thing here; the revenues could go towards staff and site maintenance, to make this a far more pleasant experience for all.
As ever thank you for stopping by, and please feel free to share your experience, or ask any questions you may have, in the comments below. All feedback on the post is welcome too!
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