Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur

The Batu caves are one of Malaysia's most popular Hindu shrines and house numerous beautiful statues of Hindu Gods in their limestone grottos.

The Batu caves are one of Malaysia's most popular Hindu shrines and house numerous beautiful statues of Hindu Gods in their limestone grottos. Discovered in 1878 by American naturalist William Hornaday, the caves have been used as temples by Hindu priests ever since.

Book a tour from Kuala Lumpur to Batu caves to see the labyrinth of 400 million year old dark caves, and intricately carved sculptures and shrines built in Dravidian style. Just a half-hour drive from the city, the world's tallest statue of the Hindu deity Murugan covered in gold paint greets you at the entrance, after which you have to climb 272 stairs up to the Temple Cave. It is the biggest cave in the Bukit Batu massif, with a high ceiling and ornate statues of deities. Midway along the flight of stairs is the virginal Dark Cave, with fascinating natural formations such as stalactites, stalagmites and crystals which have been left untouched since their discovery. Here you might even chance upon the Trapdoor Spider - rarest spider in the world.

There is a 50 feet tall idol of the Monkey-God Hanuman and a temple dedicated to him, which you can visit on your way to the Ramayana Cave on the extreme left at the base. This cave illustrates the mythological story of Rama chronologically through colorful dioramas. Also at the base is the Cave Villa which has the Art Gallery Cave and Valluvar Kottam or Museum Cave, displaying several statues and paintings of Indian poets and characters from Hindu mythology. At the entrance is a pond with several colorful koi fish, river terrapins and tortoises. The cave walls of the Vallurvar Kottam display statues, murals, and inscriptions of renowned Tamil poet Valluvar's couplets, including illustratrations from the Tirukkural. To the back is a statue of a freaky five-legged bull (fifth leg on its back!) which had lived in the complex.

If you are traveling in January - February, look out for the Thaipusam festival, when devout Hindus pierce their bodies with spikes and lemon, and perform a traditional dance. Beware of the thieving monkeys (long-tailed macaques), who can get quite aggressive at times.