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Batu Caves Overview

Batu Caves is a prominent heritage site that encloses a series of limestone caves and cave temples. Sri Subramanian Swamy Temple, guarded by the tall and majestic Lord Murugan Statue at the foot of the cave, is regarded as sacred and frequented by devotees from all over the world. The Ramayana Cave that depicts the story of the epic is another splendid attraction at Batu Caves.

Batu Caves, one of the most prominent heritage sites of Malaysia is a series of limestone caves that date back to about 400 million years ago. Situated 13 km north of Kuala Lumpur, the caves were used as shelters by the indigenous Temuan or Besisi people (a tribe of Orang Asli) in ancient times. Today, Batu Caves are synonymous with the grandiose Murugan Statue located at the foot of the Cave and is famous worldwide for the Sri Subramanian Swamy Temple.

The Murugan Statue at the caves glistens in bright gold colour and soars up 42.7 meter and is the tallest statue in Malaysia. The cave temple is considered to be one of the ten holy abodes of Lord Murugan and hence, is revered by millions of Hindu devotees.

Thaipoosam is the most celebrated festival here and thousands of ardent devotees fulfill their vows here taking “kavadi” attracting tourists from all parts of the world. The Ramayana Cave is another marvelous attraction at Batu Caves which consists of psychedelic dioramas of the Indian epic 'Ramayana'. The giant statues of Lord Hanuman and Kumbakarna leave every visitor spellbound.

The Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave at the base of the Batu Caves have an envious collection of Hindu statues and paintings that depict the victory of Lord Murugan over Demon Soorapadman. Apart from the religious significance of Batu Caves, the huge limestone outcrops of Batu Caves have made it the prime rock climbing destination in Malaysia and there are 170 rock climbing routes here.

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Highlights

• Visit and offer prayers at the divine Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple, also known as Cave Temple, which is one of the ten abodes of Lord Murugan.
• Marvel at the golden-coloured statue of Lord Murugan that stands soaring high at 42.7 metres height and glistening in glory.
• Indulge in the popular Thaipusam festival that is celebrated grandly in honour of Lord Murgan and witness thousands of devotees fulfilling their vows by taking the ‘Kavadi’.
• Relive the scenes of Ramayana at the Ramayana Cave where you can find a huge life-sized statue of Lord Hanuman, self-formed Shiva Linga and other deities.
• Pay a visit to the Art Gallery and Museum cave at the base of Batu Caves that has a wide collection of statues and paintings illustrating the story of Lord Murugan defeating the demon Soorapadman.
• Visit the statue of Five-Legged Bull which is constructed in memory of the bull that had five legs and was given to Batu Caves after its birth.

How To Reach

Batu Caves is located about 73.0 km away from Kuala Lumpur airport and one can reach it by the following ways -

By Train: There are no direct trains from KL airport to Batu Caves. You can take the KLIA Ekspres towards City (KL Sentral) from KL airport and reach KL Sentral. From KL Sentral, you can take the KTM Seremban Line (Blue, 1) and get to the Batu Caves.

By Taxi: The distance between KL airport and Batu Caves is 73.0 km and you can hire a taxi which will take you to the Caves in around an hour.

By Bus: There are no direct buses that ply from KL airport to Batu Caves. One needs to hop at least three buses to cover the distance and the shortest route itself could take about 3 hours.

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Other Essential Information

Places to Visit near Batu Caves

1. Taman Eko Rimba Kanching Waterfalls- This waterfall is a well-kept secret spot in Kuala Lumpur that looks magnificent as the waterfall flows through seven tiers over the moss-filled rocks and mountains. The green canopy that the tall trees make here and picnic facilities available at the entrance of the waterfalls promises a perfect day out amidst the lap of Nature.

2. Selayang Hot Spring- Selayang Hot Spring is a set of four hot springs with different degrees of hot water. Well 1 is soothingly warm but not clean enough for a lounge session. Well 2 is hotter than well1 and one can get into the well after you feel comfortable with the heat. Well 3 is the hottest that one might usually have to fill a tub and let it cool before pouring it over. The thick deposits of minerals in these spring make them therapeutic.

3. Templer Park- This botanical park is a forest reserve that looks verdant with multi-tiered waterfalls, jungle streams, and trails. Many bird species like he hawk-cuckoo, crested serpent eagle, the emerald dove, the forest wagtail, malkohas, barbet, the woodpecker, the flycatcher-shrike have made this park their home and sighting these birds in their natural habitat promises a blissful experience.

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Places to Eat near Batu Caves

1. Restaurants to head to for lip-smacking Indian cuisine

  • Restoran Amutha: This restaurant is popular for South Indian Cuisine like idly, vada, and many types of dosas. The prices at this hotel are a little cheaper than at other restaurants.
  • Dhivya's Cafe: This South Indian restaurant serves 100% vegetarian food which includes idlis, vada, dosas, veg thali and outwins its competitors with delicious samosas.
  • Restoran De Maduras: With dim lighting and air conditioned seating area, the ambiance here is perfect after that long hike at Batu Caves. The veg meals and non-veg meals served here are scrumptious.
  • Restoran Rani Pure Vegetarian and Jain Food: This vegetarian Indian restaurant serves delicious food on a banana leaf. The masala tea and lemonade served here is really good.

2. Restaurants that serve international Non-vegetarian cuisine

  • Coca Seafood Restaurant: This restaurant is popular for its yellow noodles that is topped with fried wonton, char siew, roast pork, long beans, tofu pork, bean sprouts, and many others for just RM 12.
  • Restoran Pan Heong: This restaurant is located right in Batu Caves and the renditions served here like freshwater prawn drizzled with lemon juice and Kuey Teow (flat rice noodles) are a feast to indulge guilt-free.
  • Mel’s Corner Batu Caves: Known for its local durian tembaga and ice creams with green cendol strands, RM 20 is all you need here for a big bowl.
  • Canton Kitchen: This Chinese restaurant serving lip-smacking Chinese food with exotic items like Guangxi style braised pork (with yam) and Steamed Kampung Chicken.
  • Kim Kee Noodles: This roadside restaurant is jam packed all through the day with its guests savoring more than 10 types of noodles in their menu from pan Mee to Curry mee, Yee Mee and more.

Must Read: Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur

Places to Stay near Batu Caves

There are numerous hotels within a radius of 10 km from Batu Caves to suit the budget of every traveller. Some of the top-rated hotels are -

1. KIP Hotel Kuala Lumpur- Located in the heart of Sri Utara, this modest and affordable hotel has facilities like well-equipped rooms, cafe, 24-hour Gym, an Infinity Pool, and a convenience store

2. Dynasty Hotel- This 3-star hotel has 364 modern rooms and is loaded with all luxurious facilities like fitness centre, business centre, beauty salon, and gift shop. The 15-metre double deck swimming pool offers arresting views of the city around.

3. Sunway Putra Hotel- This plush 5-star hotel is for those who cannot compromise on comfort and luxury. Free shuttle services and the hotel's proximity to major tourist spots like Batu Caves, Putra World Trade Centre, KL Twin Towers makes this a great accommodation choice of holidaymakers and those on a business sojourn.

Checkout: Resorts in Malaysia

Tip for Visiting Batu Caves

Batu Caves is a bliss to be visited and here are a few tips that will make your trip hassle-free.

1. Short pants and skirts above the knees are not allowed inside the temple. So, dress appropriately to prevent any hassles. Scarves are available for rent outside the entrance.

2. Entry to Batu Caves is free. But, there are many small caves around Batu Caves for which entrance fee ranges between MYR 5.00 to MYR 1.00.

3. The Dark Cave is open only until 10.00 AM and the entrance fee per person is 33 RM.

4. Do not carry food to Batu Caves as it could invite the monkeys.

5. Do not feed the monkeys as they might turn aggressive anytime.

Also Read: Best Malaysia Tour Packages for Family

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Point of Interest for Batu Caves
 Offer prayers at the Cave Temple
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Offer prayers at the Cave Temple

The Cave Temple also known as the Cathedral Cave, the Cave Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is believed to be the 10th Cave or Hill for Lord Murugan. The Cave Temple sits atop the plight of 272 steps and are actually two caverns connected.

The sunlight penetrating here and there through the extremely heigh celing of the caves creates a mystical aura to the place. There are shrines for Lord Murugan, Sri Valli, Sri Deivanai, Lord Shiva, Ganesha, and Parvati inside the Cave Temple. The biggest festival at this temple is Thaipusam that happens once a year.

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 Ramayana Cave
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Ramayana Cave

Visualize the scenes from Ramayana The Ramayana Cave in Batu Caves features a huge statue of Hanuman and a self-formed shiva lingam. The caves have many real life-sized statues of Hindu Gods that depict the whole story of Ramayana. If you are travelling with kids, this place is sure to leave them spellbound.

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 Marvel at the magnanimous Lord Murugan Statue
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Marvel at the magnanimous Lord Murugan Statue

The golden-colored Lord Murugan Statue located in Sri Murugan Perumal Kovil at the foot of Batu Cave Temple stands a whopping 42.7 metres tall and is the tallest statue in Malaysia. A trip to Malaysia is never complete without a picture clicked here.

Suggested Read: Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur

 Explore the creepy Dark Cave
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Explore the creepy Dark Cave

Half way through the plight of 272 steps is the Dark Cave, which is known so for a reason. The Dark Cave is believed to be the home of the rarest spider species, the Trapdoor Spider.

The dense population of cockroaches and bats, weird rock formations, and narrow potholes amidst rocks add up the adventure quotient of the Dark Cave. The Dark Cave is not usually open and entry is permitted only under the supervision of a guide. Adventure tours at the Dark Cave last for about 3 hours and visitors can actually explore the cave leaving no stone unturned!

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 Witness the exhibits at Cave Villa
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Witness the exhibits at Cave Villa

At the foot of Batu Caves lies the Cave Villa which are actually two caves containing beautiful exhibits of statues and paintings of Indian poets and mythological Hindu characters with plaques to help the visitors know about the painting or statue in depth. One of the two caves, also has an exhibit of live reptiles like snakes enclosed in a glass box. The caves at the Cave Villa are brightly illuminated and offer informative sightseeing.

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 The five-legged bull
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The five-legged bull

Years back, the bull which had a fifth leg grow from the back near the hump was given to the Batu Caves Temples right after its birth. The bull roamed through the temple grounds all through its life until it finally rested in peace. Now, a statue raised in the temple's courtyard in the memory of the five-legged bull is worth visiting.

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 Rock Climbing
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Rock Climbing

Batu Caves are a Heaven for those who love to enjoy a game of natural rock climbing. Hosting 7 cargs and 170 routes, the most enthralling rock climbing trails at Batu Caves

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Tourism Board Alliances

Batu Caves FAQs

Why is Batu Caves famous?

Batu Caves is particularly famous for the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple and the iconic Murugan Statue located at the foot of Batu Caves. The caves are considered to be one of the 10 holy hill abodes of Lord Murugan and people flock to this cave temple during Thaipoosam to offer their prayers. Despite being located in Malaysia, all the traditional Tamilian Thaipoosam festivities like walking barefoot for kilometres from ?r? Maha Mariamman Kovil to the Batu Caves shrine, and carrying ‘kavadi’ as a way of fulfilling their vows are held here with high fervor and devotion attraction tourists from all parts of the world.

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How many steps are there in Batu Caves?

There are 272 concrete steps in Batu Caves. Initially, these steps were laid out in wood and it was only in 1920, the wooden steps were replaced by concrete steps. Recently, the concrete steps got a huge makeover by getting painted in various shades of bright red, orange, blue, green, yellow, and pink.

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What to wear in Batu caves?

Being a place of worship, it is highly recommended to go in traditional attire. Shorts are not allowed here and skirts above the knees are also prohibited inside the temple.

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Which are Malaysia's top activities and attraction tickets that I can book via Thrillophilia?

Is Batu Caves worth visiting?

Yes, absolutely. The magnificent Murugan Statue here is the largest one dedicated to Swami Murugan and the caves are considered reverential. One can witness the various practices of the Hindu religion dedicated to the Lord here. The greenery surrounding the hills of the Batu Caves is a visual delight and the experience of climbing the plight of stairs at the temple makes it worth a visit.

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Batu Caves Reviews

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NEERAJ SINGH
Reviewed: 05 Sep 2023
5.0/5
It was an awesome tour..... Will recommend to others..... Budget friendly and safe.....
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Seema Tharani
Reviewed: 15 Jul 2022
5.0/5
The best trip ever. My friend and I booked this package from Thrillophilia. We visit the Batu Caves that was so beautiful and also took blessings from the Hindu Deities. Then we climb a natural limestone boulder , after reaching to the top of that, the view was breadtaking such good fresh air. Every... Read More
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Minakshi Devar
Reviewed: 07 Jul 2022
5.0/5
This package, in my opinion, is one of the finest tour packages of Kuala Lumpur. Not only did me and my family get to visit the popular places in Kuala Lumpur, like the Central Market, Perdana Botanical Garden and KL Bird Park, we also spent some time at the Petronas Twin Towers and its observation ... Read More
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Jitender Bharadwaj
Reviewed: 18 Jul 2022
5.0/5
For all those who love rock climbing, here is the best activity for all you guys in Kuala Lumpur with Batu Caves visit. Book this guided activity from thrillophilia and get amazing discounts.
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Nagabhushanam Naik
Reviewed: 21 Jun 2022
5.0/5
This KL city tour from Thrillophilia is undoubtedly one of the most thorough I've found online, and it's quite affordable. The trip visits close to ten different city attractions. It also includes a trip to the Observation Deck on the KL tower.
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Chakrika Abbott
Reviewed: 28 May 2022
5.0/5
The experience on the outskirts of the city was incredibly enjoyable. We went to a pewter foundry, several nearby towns, and the Batu Caves. The staff also handled our transportation to and from the destination.

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