Batu Caves is a limestone hill, which has a series of caves and cave temples, located in Gombak district, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It takes its name from the Sungai Batu or Batu River, which flows past the hill. Batu Caves is also the name of the nearby village.
The cave is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is the focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia.
The limestone forming Batu Caves is said to be around 400 million years old. Some of the cave entrances were used as shelters by the indigenous Temuan people (a tribe of Orang Asli).
The biggest cave has been made into a Hindu temple in 1891. To reach the cave, one has to climb a staircase of 272 steps, but it's worth every ounce of energy used.
While you are here, you will notice that the caves are also home to some monkeys. You can buy bananas for them if you choose upon arrival at the caves.
Every year, over a million Hindu devotees and visitors throng the temple for the Thaipusam celebrations, which falls between mid-January to early February. It is an eye-opening event with so many visitors all travelling to the site, it must not be missed if you visit Kuala Lumpur during this time of year.
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