Batu Caves

Batu Caves is a limestone hill with a series of caves and cave temples located in Gombak, about 13 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur. Batu Caves is named after the Batu River which flows past the limestone hill. The limestone forming in the caves is believed to be 400 million years old.

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Batu Caves is a limestone hill with a series of caves and cave temples located in Gombak, about 13 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur. Batu Caves is named after the Batu River which flows past the limestone hill. The limestone forming in the caves is believed to be 400 million years old.

Batu Caves was popularised as a place of worship by K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian trader who was impressed with the 'vel' shaped (divine spear of the Hindu war god Murugan) entrance of the main cave. He dedicated a temple to Lord Murugan within the caves.

The Batu Caves temple complex comprises three main caves and some smaller ones. Temple Cave is the biggest cave, has a very high ceiling and features ornate Hindu shrines. The Ramayana Cave, situated at the extreme left depicts the epic Ramayana. The Lord Murugan statue, measuring 42.7 metres high is the tallest Lord Murugan statue in the world.

The Thaipusam festival has been celebrated at the Batu Caves since 1892. Back in 1920, wooden steps up to the Temple Cave were built but have been replaced by 272 concrete steps. This Hindu temple has been in existence for more than 100 years.

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