Also known as Pathumalai, Batu Caves is the focal point of the Tamil festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia. Batu Caves in short also referred as 10th Caves or Hill for Lord Murugan as there are six important holy shrines in India and four more in Malaysia. The three others in Malaysia are Kallumalai Temple in Ipoh, Tanneermalai Temple in Penang and Sannasimalai Temple in Malacca.
At the base of the hill are two more cave temples, Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave, both of which are full of Hindu statues and paintings. This complex was renovated and opened as the Cave Villa in 2008. Many of the shrines relate the story of Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Soorapadman. An audio tour is available to visitors.
Ramayana Cave in Batu Caves
The Ramayana Cave is situated to the extreme left as one faces the sheer wall of the hill. On the way to the Ramayana Cave, there is a 15 m (50 ft) tall statue of Hanuman and a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, devotee and aide of Lord Rama. The Ramayana Cave depicts the story of Rama in the manner of a chronicle along the irregular walls of the cave.
Festivals & Abhisheka
The Batu Caves serve as the focus of the Tamil community's yearly Thaipusam festival. A procession begins in the wee hours of the morning on Thaipusam from the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur leading up to Batu Caves as a religious undertaking to Lord Muruga lasting eight hours. Devotees carry containers containing milk as offering to Lord Murugan either by hand or in huge decorated carriers on their shoulders called 'Kavadi'.
Contact Address & Phone Number:
Gombak
68100 Batu Caves
Selangor
Malaysia
Contact Phone Number: +60 3-6189 6284
By Road: Batu Caves may also be reached by bus 11/11d from Bangkok Bank Terminus (Near to Puduraya Terminus) or bus U6 from Titiwangsa. Batu Caves is also easily reached by travelling by car.
Nearest Railway Station: Tourist can take a train from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Batu Caves via KL Sentral. The time take for journey is around 1 hour and 47 minutes.
Batu Caves is easily reached by commuter train at the KC05 Batu Caves Komuter station, costing RM 2.6 for a one-way journey from KA01, KS01, KJ15, MR1, KE1, KT1, SBK15, KL Sentral.
Nearest Airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is around 54.2 km away. Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (SZB) Airport is another nearest airport (18.4 km).
