What is so special at Batu Caves ?

Batu Caves

source : google image

Batu Caves is a limestone hill that has a series of caves and cave temples in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia.

The cave is one of the most popular Tamil shrines outside India, and is dedicated to Lord Murugan which is theTamil God Muruga. It is the focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia.

Batu Caves in short also referred as 10th Caves or Hill for Lord Muruga as there are six important holy shrines in India and four more in Malaysia.

Batu Caves was promoted as a place of worship by K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian trader.

source : google image

He was inspired by the vel-shaped entrance of the main cave and was inspired to dedicate a temple to Lord Murugan within the caves. In 1890, Pillai, who also founded the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur, installed the murti (consecrated statue) of Sri Murugan Swami in what is today known as the Temple Cave. Since 1892, the Thaipusam festival in the Tamil month of Thai (which falls in late January/early February) has been celebrated there.




Wooden steps up to the Temple Cave were built in 1920 and have since been replaced by 272 concrete steps.

source : google image

source : google image

Of the various cave temples that comprise the site, the largest and best known is the Temple Cave, so named because it houses several Hindu shrines beneath its high vaulted ceiling.


In August 2018 the 272 steps were painted in an extraordinary colour scheme, with each set of steps painted in a different range of colours.

source : google image

 The most common place for tourists to see the monkeys in Kuala Lumpur is at Batu Caves.As tourists enter the complex and climb the 272 steps to reach the temple, the monkeys wander around seemingly oblivious to the humans. Some tourists feed them fruit or nuts while others snap photographs. The monkeys aren’t scared and often appear to beg for food.

source : google image

source : google image

credit to : culture trip