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Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur
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Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur

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Batu Caves: Batu Caves
  • Tip Rating:
  • kenmerk
  • By kenmerk on June 18, 2003
  • Kuala Lumpur Page by kenmerk
  • Rays of Sunlight Illuminate this Holy Place... - Kuala Lumpur
    Rays of Sunlight Illuminate
    this Holy Place...
    by kenmerk
    You will be surprised to find that the biggest tourist attraction in the capital city of this small Muslin country is a Hindu shrine built in a cave that was uncovered by an American. But such is life in multi-cultural Malaysia...

    Quite an interesting place, the caves themselves are quite attractive, with a large central cavern which the beams of sun light illuminate in unusual ways. Also with the hindi decorations and the horde of maraudering macaques monkeys running about, it does give the place an exotic feel.

    Located 15 KMs north of the city. Easy to reach by bus.

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  • Phone: +60 3 2287 9422
  • Directions: 15 kms north of Kuala Lumpur
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    Batu Caves: Thaipusam Festival
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  • M0B1US
  • Updated By M0B1US on June 19, 2003
  • Kuala Lumpur Page by M0B1US
  • Hooked on Religion - Kuala Lumpur
    Hooked on Religion
    by M0B1US
    As fortune would have it we were in KL for the annual Hindu Thaipusam Festival which was held this year between Jan 20-22 with an estimated 1.2 million people making the pilgrimage...

    Thaipusam is a pilgrimage for devout Hindus who come to the colossal Batu Caves situated in a bluff of limestone karsts 15kms north of KL. Many set off from the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Chinatown in the early hours of the morning on a route culminating with a long stairway of 272 steps leading into the enormous Temple Cave at the top.

    Thaipusam has a number of meanings for Hindus, with the most spectacular and visible one being those that come to do penance for misdeeds or being unworthy of their gods. This penance takes the form of what look like incredibly masochistic feats of atonement such as seeing the endless procession of men who have attached limes, oranges or small silver urns to their backs and chests with hooks directly into their skin! Some add to this by attaching these hooks to rope which would be held by family members providing resistance and keeping these ropes taut against the devotee straining against it.

    Others wear enormous 'kavadi's' (meaning "suffering at every step"), which are basically ornately decorated shrines assembled upon a steel frame that is supported around the bearers waist. Many of these kavidis weigh from 100-150 lbs and upwards and also have to be manhandled up the steps into the temple above.

    Not all worship involves self inflicted pain, and many men and women make the walk to the Caves barefooted with a simple silver urn of fresh milk on their head in thanks for any children born that year.

    This was without doubt one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had and I was so glad to be a part of it, being surrounded by so many people devoted to their religion in this manner. It was a very peaceful event and we met many people only too happy to explain the significance of this event to a pair of curious westerners...

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  • Address: Batu Caves, 15km North of KL
  • Phone: +60 3 2287 9422
  • Directions: Buses and train run to here at all times
  • Other Contact: Open from 7am to 6pm daily
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    Batu Caves: Batu Caves
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  • M0B1US
  • By M0B1US on June 12, 2003
  • Kuala Lumpur Page by M0B1US
  • Inside the enormous Temple Cave - Kuala Lumpur
    Inside the enormous Temple
    Cave
    by M0B1US
    These towering limestone karsts with their caves were little known until an American naturalist stumbled across them about 100 years ago.

    A Hindu Shrine was later erected in the vast space of what became the Temple Cave and a flight of 272 steps were built to make it accessible. Around a million Hindus make a pilgrimage here every year for the spectacular Thaipusam Festival that occurs every January or February as described in my Thaipusam Festival tip...

    Once inside, there is a huge open but covered area which goes back a good couple of hundred feet with many statues carved into the cave walls at various heights and intervals along the way, before a final set of stairs takes you into a natural open air atrium type structure where there is a small shrine.

    The cave walls in this area are scattered with vegetation and are also home to a troupe of monkeys - macaques I think?

    While impressive in their own right, truly the best time to visit is during the awe inspiring Thaipusam Festival...

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  • Phone: +60 3 2287 9422
  • Directions: 15km north of Kuala Lumpur
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    Batu Caves: Batu Caves
  • Tip Rating:
  • balhannah
  • By balhannah on February 26, 2009
  • Kuala Lumpur Page by balhannah
  • View from the steps - Kuala Lumpur
    View from the steps
    by balhannah, 2 more photos
    Batu Caves were discovered in 1892 and are located approx 13 kms north of Kuala Lumpur. The Caves are made of Limestone, 400 metres long, and 100metres high, huge! These caves are thought to be 400 million years old. There are three of them altogether. The biggest cave is called Cathedral cave, and its here where you find a Hindu Temple.
    This is a very sacred place for the Malay Hindus. It is their focal point for the Thaipusam Festival, this festival attracts 1.5million people.
    Be fit for the climb, 272 steps, and quite a few more inside. As you stop and have a rest on your climb up, have a look at the views, you can see for miles and miles. Also of interest, are the Macaque Monkeys. Be careful with these, they can steal from you, and they can become aggressive. They are inside and outside of the caves.
    The caves are easily reached by Bus or Taxi.

  • Phone: +60 3 2287 9422
  • Directions: 13km north of Kuala Lumpur Public bus 11 or 11D
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    Batu Caves: EVERYONE HAS TO GO HERE
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  • stevemt
  • Updated By stevemt on April 21, 2007
  • Kuala Lumpur Page by stevemt
  • The steps to the caves - Kuala Lumpur
    The steps to the caves
    by stevemt,
    4 more photos
    The Batu caves are a collection of Hindu shrines within a mountain.

    There are a huge amount of steps to climb to get there, and even more inside, but its well worth the effort.

    The caves are working temples so priests are in attendance at all times it is open and the devotees come in numbers, but visitors are very welcome.

    A number if tours include the Batu Caves in there itinery, so check some of the tour operators if you do not have your own transport

    A word of warning - do not cary anything in supermarket plastic bags or the resident monkeys will grab them off you thinking it is food

  • Phone: +60 3 2287 9422
  • Directions: 13km north of Kuala Lumpur
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    Batu Caves: Temple Cave Visit
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  • barbskie
  • Updated By barbskie on December 4, 2007
  • Kuala Lumpur Page by barbskie
  • BATU CAVES - Kuala Lumpur
    BATU CAVES
    by barbskie
    Batu Caves, a well known Hindu temple discovered way back in 1892, close to Kuala Lumpur with its 272 steps. It is interesting for those who love cultures and traditions or just eager to make it up these steep steps. The monkesy and bats making their treats are fascinating.

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  • Address: Selangor
  • Phone: +60 3 2287 9422
  • Directions: Many hotels offers a sightseeing tour or just take a train from KL station
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    Batu Caves: How to go to Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur
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  • By curli_topz on April 14, 2008
  • Kuala Lumpur Page by curli_topz
  • How to go to Batu Caves

    First option:
    You can take a cab which costs approx MYR20.00 from KL City Center to Batu Caves. This is the easiest way and the most efficient especially if you're travelling in a group of 4.

    Second option: (suggested in you're going to Genting Highlands and Batu Caves on the same day) (not direct)
    1. Ride LRT to Terminal Putra Gombak (you can purchase tickets and go to Genting Highlands from here). LRT from KLCC Station to Putra Gombak costs approx MYR4.
    2. Below Terminal Putra Gombak LRT station, take a short cab ride to Batu Caves which will cost approx. MYR5-7.

    To view my KL to Batu Caves travel journal, please visit my blog at http://asiatravelbug.blogspot.com/2008/02/day-3-genting-highlands-and-batu-caves.html

    Enjoy!

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  • Address: Batu Caves
  • Phone: +60 3 2287 9422
  • Directions: 13km north of Kuala Lumpur
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    Batu Caves: Interesting
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  • stappm
  • Updated By stappm on February 16, 2005
  • Kuala Lumpur Page by stappm
  • Batu Caves - Kuala Lumpur
    by stappm
    Good Sight. Yet surprisingly, not very well taken care of for a Temple, but it is a must see. I was very surprised that the temple is not pristeen (unlike the grand palace in Thailand or other religous sights thru out the world) There is a lot of graffiti and just plain old dirt. I understand the bird droppings, it is a cave afterall.

    Any Taxi driver would "love" to take you there -
    & the drive from downtown KL is not bad. Once there you get an exceptionally good view of the city. Rent a headset that you pick up at the top for about 13 RGT & It will guide you thru the caves/temple.

    Walking up the stairs there are a ton of monkey's waiting for treats. It is quite a walk up the stairs and it is a humid climate - caution for asthma suffers and infrequent exercisers - take your time.

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  • Phone: +60 3 2287 9422
  • Directions: 13km north of Kuala Lumpur
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    Batu Caves: Batu caves
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  • marimar_72
  • Updated By marimar_72 on June 25, 2004
  • Kuala Lumpur Page by marimar_72
  • Batu Caves steps - Kuala Lumpur
    Batu Caves steps
    by marimar_72
    The huge Batu Caves are the best known attraction in the vicinity of K.L.
    The caves are in a towering limestone formation and were little known until about 100 years ago.
    To reach it, one has to climb 272 steps, (each step is painted with a number so you can count them).
    I enjoyed climbing the steps you get to see many monkeys on your way up,,they will be delighted to be fed with bananas or nuts:D or even just to take a photo of them;-)
    You will have to purchas a ticket at the site,it costs 15 RM for adults and 8 RM for children over the age of 5.
    You will also get an audio device to listen to when you reach up.
    Now there is a huge statue is being bulit next to the stairway of a Goddess.

    Check my KL travel Albums for more pictures of the caves.*

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  • Address: 13 km north of KL,off ipoh road
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    Batu Caves: Batu Cave art
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  • ChristaV
  • By ChristaV on September 3, 2004
  • Kuala Lumpur Page by ChristaV
  • Batu Cave art - Kuala Lumpur
    Batu Cave art
    by ChristaV
    If you cross the little lake at the entrace to the Batu Caves you will reach some more caves (on ground level) that has been turned into an art gallery of sorts. This place has the most fantastic wall paintings etc that you have seen with vivid colours and all.

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  • Phone: +60 3 2287 9422
  • Directions: 13km north of Kuala Lumpur
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