Anyone visiting Kuala Lumpur should consider taking a trip to the Batu Caves. Only 8 miles outside the city, the caves are located in a limestone hill in the Gombak district. Actually a series of limestone caves, the structure also features some beautiful cave temples. Batu is named for the Batu River (Sungai Batu) and shares its name with a village in the area.
It is believed that the Batu Caves have existed for some 400 million years and some of the entrances were used by the Temuan people (an indigenous tribe of Orang Asli) as shelters. Chinese settles harvested bat guano as fertilizer from the caves beginning in 1860. The caves gained fame in 1878 when colonial authorities mapped and documented the area.
As one of the most popular Hindu shrines that exists outside of India, the Batu Caves attracts millions of tourists every year. The main cave temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga. Over 1.5 million pilgrims come to the shrine during the annual Thaipusam festive, which concludes at the caves.
The Sri Subramania Swamy murti was installed in 1891 and the first Thaipusam festival was celebrated there the following year. In 1920 wooden steps were constructed leading to the Temple Cave. They were later replaced by concrete.
The Cathedral Cave (also known simply as the Temple) features a vaulted ceiling that rises 100 meters from the floor and houses several ornate shrines. Two other cave temples are the Museum Cave and the Art Gallery Cave. The latter two were recently renovated and renamed the Cave Villa. Other points of interest at Batu include the tallest Murugan statue in the world, which is 140 feet tall and the Ramayana Cave which chronicles the story of Rama.
Those wishing to witness the Thaipusam festival or visit the Batu Caves at other times of the year will find plenty of comfortable lodgings in the nearby city, including 5 star Kuala Lumpur hotels, various resorts, and even boutique hotels.
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Tags: 5 star hotels, Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur