The limestone forming Batu Caves is said to be around 400 million years old. K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian trader was inspired by the ‘vel’-shaped entrance of the main cave and was inspired to dedicate a temple to Lord Muruga within the caves. In 1891, the influential descendant of Indian immigrants from Tamil Nadu, India, Mr. K. Thamboosamy Pillai installed the ‘murti’ or consecrated idol of Sri Subramaniar Swamy (Lord Murugan) in the 400 ft high Temple Cave. In 1892, Thaipusam, the annual festival took place and in the year 1920 where 272 wooden steps were built and since replaced with concrete steps.
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| The concrete steps |
Standing at 42.7 m (140 ft) high, the world’s tallest statue of Murugan, a Hindu deity, is located outside Batu Caves, near the city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The statue, which cost approximately 24 million rupees, is made of 1550 cubic metres of concrete, 250 tonnes of steel bars and 300 litres of gold paint brought in from neighboring Thailand. To get to the Temple Cave, you will need to climb the steep 272 steps to the top of the Batu Caves. You start from the foot of Batu Caves near the foot of Lord Murugan’s statue and walk your way up to the Temple Cave.
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| Early February during Thaipusam |
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| Batu Caves : One of the holiest Hindu shrines in Malaysia and a popular tourist attraction (before renovation). |
Along the stairs, provides nice views of Kuala Lumpur city and on a clear day, you can even see the iconic Petronas Tower and KL Menara Tower. Finally after 272 steps, you would have reached the top of Batu Caves and into the Temple Cave. Within the main cave is another 2 sets of stairway with a total of 50 or so steps which leads to the upper cave where the Valli Devanai Temple is housed. From here, the only way back is down the 272 steps where you came from. But recently, the temple had a major makeover with colorful vibrant paint jobs. The temple underwent renovation works starting in February to expand the complex for the planned celebration which is held every 12 years at Batu Caves.
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| After renovation. |
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| Preparation for a Kavadi made out of gold. |
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| I am leaving the best for the last, purely for the love and respect of this stranger's beard. |
Just by going up and coming down, you could easily have spent 1 to 2 hours. Besides this main cave, there is also the Ramayana Cave which is located by the 15 metre high Hanuman Statue and Śrī Maha Mariamman Temple which was built in 1873. You would have spent half your day there if you were to visit each cave and the other temples along side the main cave.
It was a tiring but worth filled climb up the stairs just to experience and truly feel it to the bones on how this 400 million year old cave gives such a positive and peaceful vibration. I am definitely looking forward to going there again.
Till the next post.
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