Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur

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Batu Caves are just outside KL and a taxi will take you here for a few RM (about 15 we paid). It is worth it.

When we were at these caves a giant statue of a Hindhu god was being erected at the front (before the steps). This is likely to be the 1st thing you will see on arrival. The 272 steps come next and can be quite a task if you are unfit like me. I stopped at least twice and was sweating in the scorching sun. You may also be pestered by some pesky monkeys on your way who would sometimes try to steal from you as I saw some poor guy getting his bottle of water pilfered from his hand. Other than that the monkeys will be fairly harmless but annoy them and they may bite.

At the top of the stairs there is a large cave cut into the side of the cliff face where the temple begins. There are a number of Hindu staues etc. in the cave so you can walk about and have a look. At the back of the cave there are more steps leading up to another temple area where you will find a load of monkeys sneaking around the side of the cliffs. Looking up there will be a large gap in the roof where the sun shines through and lights up the caves.

I think there are some other areas to Batu caves but they were closed when we were here due to repairal. There are also some other staues in the grounds at the entrance which maybe worth a photo or 2. Overall we were here for an hour or 2 and was well worth the trip.

"Wherever there is a mount there is a shrine for lord Muruga".
Lord Muruga is the son of Shiva - god of destruction and the younger brother of Ganesha. The Vel or spear he holds is an emblem of Power. Worshippers believe that as a creator of the new and destructor of the old, he is the natural order of all things. Believers worship nature and by doing so honour the gods by living a nature life free of evil deeds, thoughts and vices.

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So, the all encompassing tours that are given through the hostels or other organizations can be long and daunting. I took one to go see the Batu Caves, a traditional stilt home, a rubber tree field and more. Some of it was annoying. Like when you go to a shop and the tour leaders try to get you to buy things, because they've made a deal with the shop owners. But some of it was great too. Like getting to tap a rubber tree and take some of the goo with me! I recommend these types of tours, even though they can be odd.

I know there are many tips about the Batu caves, and I would be hard put to add much to the discussion. As the other tips will tell you, this impressive natural cave is at the top of 272 steps and is a hindu temple, with many interesting statues to be seen. The monkeys pose in genteel fashion on the bannisters of the steps and the view across KL on a clear day is lovely.

The climb up the stairs is long, but I took it easy and rested a few times on the way up. If you have bad knees, it is the downward climb which is roughest!

But for me, the highlight was the snake. At the entrance to the cave there was a stand with a snake and an iguana, and for an indecently large amount of money (at least an indecent amount for Malaysia) the people running the stand will use your camera to take photos of you with a snake draped over you. For me it was worth every cent of the 40 ringgit (about 10 dollars US). Take a look at the photo and tell me if you agree!

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This amazing wonder is located high and above so you have to climb a QUITE long stairs. Anyway, we reached there with a little sweat and it is really beautiful. There were so many doves also down there before we climbed. It was being renovated and improved while we were there. There were stores nearby that sell foods and souvenirs.

Lying just north of Kuala Lumpur not far from Templer Park are the Batu Caves, another visually enchanting natural marvel. Carved out of limestone, these meticulously sculpted caverns are sacred Hindu shrines. Nevertheless, visitors are allowed to visit daily. Inside you?ll find a Hindu Temple, as well as an art gallery featuring mythological Hindu statues. Discovered in 1878, the Batu Caves are part of a large limestone outcrop and house several items of religious significance to Hindus. An exhausting, 272-step climb, during which scores of cute but aggressive monkeys beckon for munchies, brings you to the Temple Cave,

a well worth trip and climb the caves are magnificant

You should only go during the Hindhu Thaipusam festival in January to see all the gory and piercings carried out by pious devotees. Be respectful though as we Malaysians are toward each other.

A similar event takes place in my hometown of Penang as well.

Otherwise, you may like to explore the limestone caves with a guide. There are some other limestone caving adventures elsewhere; Gua Tempurung in Perak and Gua Kelam in Perlis being examples.

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I know that to go up to the caves is not so relaxing but during the climb you can try to play with the monkeys.
I suggest to bring with you some biscuits, but don't let them know where you are hiding them because it should be very dangerous.