Location
Batu Caves is a limestone hill which is made up of a series of caves and also cave temples. It is located in the Gombak District, just 13 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur. Its name was taken from the Batu River which flows past the hill.Overview
Batu Caves is one of the most renowned Hinde shrines located outside of India which is dedicated to the Lord Murugan. Batu Caves is crowded with people especially during Thaipusam festival. It is said that the limestone which forms the Batu Caves are as old as 400 million years old. It was also said that some of the entrances of the caves used to be shelters for the indigenous Temuan people. Before this, the steps up to Batu Caves were made of wood. They were soon replaced by 272 concrete ones. Among all the cave temples which make up the site, the most famous and the largest of them all is the Cathedral Cave and it houses a few Hindu shrines underneath its 100-meter vaulted ceiling.The statue of Lord Murugan stands proud at 42.7 meters right outside of Batu Caves. The statue costs about 24 million rupees and is made of 250 tonnes of steel bar, 300 liters of gold paint and 1550 cubic meters of concrete. At the base of the hill are two other cave temples, Art Gallery Cave and Temple Cave which are both full of Hindu paintings and statues. During the Thaipusam festival, devotees of the Lord Murugan must first fast for a month and shave their heads before they can carry the kavadi on Thaipusam. There are many other rules one must abide to for a month before they are eligible to carry the kavadi and perform the kavadi attam which is a dance for the Lord Murugan. It is during Thaipusam which attracts thousands of people to Batu Caves
Non Hindus also come during Thaipusam to witness this unique festival and also to take photographs for the colorful kavadis and its devoted kavadi-bearers. The festival lasts the whole day. It is crowded every year without fail.
