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Batu Caves

Things to do in Selangor | Malaysia

Batu Caves is one of those unique sights that you can't miss if you visit Malaysia.  Located just 15 kilometres to the north of Kuala Lumpur, the caves incorporates both the stunning features of 400 million years old limestone mountains and colorful religious structures of the Hindu faith. Welcomed by a gigantic gold-painted statue of Muruga at the entrance, visitors are then required to climb up a steep flight of almost 300 steps to reach the caves and temples on top of the limestone hill. Batu Caves is also the focal point of the annual Hindu festival of Thaipusam, which is usually held at the end of January.

Rating:

Google Rating4.4 / 5
Tripadvisor Rating4.0 / 5

Contact:

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Website
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+603 6189 6284

Address:

Gombak, Batu Caves, Selangor 68100, MalaysiaMap
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Category:

Attraction, Temple, Cave
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Visitors spend on average 2 - 3 hours here

Selected Trips

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Trip Blog Post by @divwyk: Malaysia 2018 | 3 days in Oct (itinerary, map & gallery)
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divwyk
3 days in Oct

Malaysia 2018

Trip Blog Post by @jaeWALK: THAIPUSAM 🇲🇾 | 3 days in Jan (itinerary, map & gallery)
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jaeWALK
3 days in Jan

THAIPUSAM 🇲🇾

Trip Blog Post by @Shawsc: Kuala Lumpur 2019 | 2 days in Jul (itinerary, map & gallery)
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Shawsc
2 days in Jul

Kuala Lumpur 2019

Trip Blog Post by @janka.jascurova: Kuala Lumpur- Malaysia 🇲🇾 | 1 day in Sep (itinerary, map & gallery)
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janka.jascurova
1 day in Sep

Kuala Lumpur- Malaysia 🇲🇾

Selected Photos

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Batu Caves
Batu Caves
Batu Caves
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Batu Caves
Batu Caves
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Batu Caves
Batu Caves
Batu Caves
Batu Caves
Batu Caves

Traveler Notes

Thaipusam is a time for penance, in a test of mind over matter. The main draw of the festival are the kavadi bearers, devotees who either drag "physical burdens" hooked to their backs or balanced on their shoulders. Some of these canopies can weigh up to 30 kgs. Equally quite a spectacle are those with face and body piercings which symbolizes Lord Murugan’s gift of a vel (spear) from his mother, Parvati. The devotees climb up the Batu Caves, all 272 steps of it, carryingtheir heavy kavadis.

See. Cleansing rituals take place on a river just near the caves across the railway track. Devotees also shower here as part of their cleansing and get their heads shaved at makeshift stalls just outside the train station.

Photography: Don’t use fill-in flash as this can be distracting to the devotees. Also no need for big long lenses as you can get really close to the participants anyway. Be mindful of your actions and be respectful at all times. Take note that this is a religious event, not a safari.

THAIPUSAM 🇲🇾
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Landed in Kuala Lumpur on the second day of the Thaipusam Festival. Since I’ve already missed a good chunk of the activities, I wasted no time and headed out to Batu Caves after checking in at the hotel.

Batu Caves was bustling even as late into the evening with devotees and revelers. There were various carnival rides and games and lots of food.

To Get Here. Forget driving all the way to the Batu Caves, as parking can be a problem. The best way is by train. Alight at the last station (Batu Caves. 1 RM). During the festival dates the train runs for 24 hours, so getting back to the city shouldn’t be a problem if you intend on staying out late

THAIPUSAM 🇲🇾
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On day 2 I meant to wake up early and get to the caves before it got too hot. Unfortunately, on my walk the day before, I bought a book (The Girl on the Train) and it was way more captivating than I expected it to be and stayed up half the night trying to finish it... Needless to say, by the time I got to the caves it was around 38degrees. BUT:

This was the most beautiful place in KL!! Worth the heat and sweat and the feeling of wanting to pass out a few times 😂 the monkeys around there leave you alone and they have the cutest babies! All the colour in this place made me so happy.

Malaysia 2018
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Hindu pilgrimage center, just 15 km from KL/ 272 colored steps; I thank the Almighty GOD for the good health, climb uphill/ come downhill despite my old age

Malaysia 2022
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