Escape Hunter Stream Lord Murugan's Temple: the Batu Caves

Lord Murugan's Temple: the Batu Caves

One of the most prominent large religious statues in the World is the immense gold-coloured statue of Lord Murugan, who guards the entrance to the Batu Caves - a prominent Hindu shrine in Malaysia.
This place is also one of Malaysia's most visited travel attractions and it has an elevated important to the local Tamil community.

Found just outside Kuala Lumpur, in the state of Selangor, the Batu Caves is the largest Hindu shrine outside India. It is also a great scenic place for taking photographs.

In my opinion, no trip to Kuala Lumpur should exclude a visit to this awe-inspiring religious site.

It takes roughly a 20 minutes-long brief train ride from KL Sentral station, the length of the journey is 13 km.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of love, war, victory and wisdom.
To Westerners it might sound strange how love-war-wisdom can all go all together at once...

Although historically as a religious sites, the Batu Caves complex dates back to 1891, the Murugan Statue was only built in 2006! But, in order for its construction to be finalized, 3 years were required.
It is made from concrete covered with gold-coloured paint.

The immense Lord Murugan statue is 42.7 m (140 ft), which is roughly equal to the height of a 14-story building.

In order to enter the cave system, you will have to climb the 272 steps that lead all the way up there.

After entry, you will first pass through the Cathedral Cave and then enter the Temple Cave.
Smaller shrines, colourful statues are found in abundance both inside and outside. And also: a number of souvenir-selling shops. But no, you can't bargain here, this is not like Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, where prices are flexible.

Every year, during the Thaipusam Hindu Festival, the local Tamil community gathers at the Batu Caves and some perform ritualistic piercings of their skin/flesh with the so-called "vel-skewers".

Part of the temple is found inside the caves, but some of the buildings and statues are outside, in front of it.

Monkeys roam around, especially at the entrance, some scaring the visitors. Careful, they have huge sharp teeth!

Entrance is free and if you grab the opportunity, then this could be one of your most memorable trips of a lifetime.

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