Batu Caves is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur.
Batu Caves is more than the colorful concrete steps, and most tourists only visit the main cave, which is a pity. However, besides the main attraction, i.e., the Temple Cave, there are other smaller caves that tourists visit less.
There are two more caves beside the main caves: the Cave Villa and the Ramayana Caves. There is much to see in these two places, next to the main cave.
I took three hours on one Sunday morning to appreciate all the magnificent cave formations and various statues and carvings.
Booking.com1. About Batu Caves
Batu Caves is a must-visit Hindu temple when you are in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is only half an hour of driving distance from the city center.
It is located within a high limestone hill 400 million years old. The caves were used as a shelter by the indigenous Temuan people. Subsequently, they were discovered by William T. Hornaday, an American taxidermist.
K. Thamboosamy Pillay, a Tamil Hindu community leader, built the temple within the caves in 1891. He took inspiration from the mouth of the cave that strongly resembled a ‘vel’ – the head of Lord Murugan’s celestial spear.
2. Entrance and parking
There is a huge parking area in front of Batu Caves, which costs RM2 per entry. The parking lots are sufficient for busy weekends except during the Thaipusam festival, which falls in late January or early February every year.
The golden statue of Lord Murugan, a Hindu deity guards the temple.
The statue stands 140ft high, the world’s tallest statue of Murugan. This status is the most popular spot to take photographs, symbolizing Batu Caves on all social media platforms.
The are many pigeons at the entrance of the main cave. You can feed the pigeon freely.
Don’t miss the video shot at Batu Caves. It is at the end of this article. 👇👇
3. The main temple and cave (Cathedral cave)
A. The Cave Temple
You can visit the main temple (Sri Velayuthar Temple) before climbing different stairs to reach the cave’s end.
The place is sacred to Hindu devotees to worship. Therefore, anyone who wants to enter the temple must remove their shoes.
There are volunteers serving food to anyone who wants to eat for free. You will see devotees sitting on the floor eating vegetarian food.
The temple’s interior is surprisingly vibrant. It brushes off my first impression that it is an old and poorly maintained temple since it has been there for almost 100 years. The interior of the building was repainted in 2018.
The pillars are painted with bright, colorful colors, mirroring the color scheme of the steps leading to the cave.
B. The Cathedral cave (Temple Cave)
The steps leading up to the Temple Cave were built in 1920. You must climb a steep flight of colorful 272 steps to reach the temple. In August 2018, the 272 steps were repainted, each set of steps painted in different colors.
Take it slowly, and the spectacular view at the top of the colorful stairs will reward you.
There is also a souvenir store where you can get some mementos.
Upon reaching the top, you will be greeted by the massive limestone cave that rises almost 100m above the ground, rising nearly vertically.
There is also a colorful shrine on top.
4. The cave villa (Art Gallery cave)
The Cave villa is at the left of the rainbow steps leading up to Cathedral Cave.
Once you walk down the stairs, turn right to see the entrance of Cave Villa.
You need to pay an RM5 entrance fee to enter.
There is a zig-zag bridge over a carp pond once you enter.
There are two caves in Cave Villa. Illuminated with colored lights and contain brightly painted statues and paintings.
There are painted statues of Hindu mythology characters and paintings with Indian poets and teachings. Hence, it is also called the museum cave.
Waterfall and animals
A mini zoo features rabbits, iguanas, and other birds. Peacocks are roaming freely.
Macaque monkeys are roaming everywhere in Batu Caves.
There is a small waterfall on the right of the carp pond.
5. The Ramayana cave
The Ramayana Cave is at the far end of the main cave, after the Cave Villa.
A 15-meter tall Hanuman statue is near the entrance, guarding the cave.
We crossed the short bridge and entered the cave after paying RM5. The cave is brilliantly lit with colorful lights.
Among the most prominent ones is the giant statue of Kumbhakarna. The deep sleeper.
We took time to appreciate the beautiful statues that tell past stories of Indian mythology.
The Ramayan’s story is told with colorful statues of Hindu deities and psychedelic dioramas.
Next, we climb narrow stairs to the inner chamber with a high ceiling featuring naturally occurring lingam, a stalagmite symbolizing Shiva.
The overall view of the entire cave is magnificent from the top.
6. Dark cave
There is a dark cave that needs to enter with a tour guide. However, it seems it was already close to the public for now.
7. Batu Caves- Useful Information
Address: Batu Caves, Sri Subramaniam Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contact number : +603 2287 9422
Geographic coordinates: 3°14′14.64″N 101°41′2.06″E
Opening hours: Daily, 7 am to 8 pm
Go by bus: Take Intrakota bus No 11D from the Central Market or the Cityliner bus No 69 at Jalan Pudu to get to Batu Caves.
Go by MRT or Grab: KC05 is the Batu Caves Komuter station, costing RM 2.6 for a one-way journey from KA01 KS01 KJ15 MR1 KE1 KT1 SBK15 KL Sentral. You can also use the e-hailing service to get a Grab taxi to Bat Caves.
Distance from city center: 13km north of Kuala Lumpur city.
Best time to visit: Arrive before 10 AM to avoid crowds.
Dress code: No short skirts or short shorts (hot pants).
Entry fee: The main temple complex is free, and Ramayana Cave and Cave Villa are RM5 for the locals, respectively.
Watch our video shot at Batu Caves. 👇👇
If you have read this blog post this far, don’t miss out on the video shot at Batu Caves. Click the image below to watch on YouTube (shot in high definition!).
Other best places to visit in Malaysia
If you like this article, you may also want to read about other attractive places to visit in Malaysia. Here are two places we have picked for you.
- Genting Skyworld Theme Park in Malaysia is the latest theme park to open in Southeast Asia in early 2022. Here is the complete guide.
- Malacca is a must-visit destination in Malaysia. This old city has a rich historical past with the strong influence of several European countries. Check out this guide- The best things to do in Malacca.
The location of Batu Caves
More images of Batu Caves
Renuka Devi
Monday 5th of September 2022
One of the best I have read on Batu Caves. Beautiful photos. Vibrant colours of the place.