Batu Caves

The Batu Caves (composed of Malaysian batu 'stone' and English caves, caves ') are limestone caves around 15 kilometers north of the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, home to several Hindu temples. A located near the village of the same name. Both received him from the river Batu ( ' Malaysian Sungai Batu ), which flows past the small limestone massif.

Although the caves were already long been known to local tribes, they became famous only in 1878 by the American William Hornaday. The largest is the 100 -meter high so-called Temple or Cathedral Cave, in the later several Hindu shrines were erected. 272 steep steps lead up to the entrance from the forecourt of the main cave. A little lower is the Dark Cave, a more than two kilometers extensive, relatively untouched cave system. To preserve the fauna, including unique species like the links spiders, this is just to visit with guided tours. Two located at the foothill caves, the Art Gallery and the Museum Cave, where many Hindu statues and paintings can be seen, as can the main cave visit free.

Many of the shrines relate the story of the victory of Lord Murugan over the demon Soorapadam. The 42.7 meter high statue of Murugan on the forecourt was completed in January 2006 after three years of construction.

Every year in late January or early February, the Batu Caves for the focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam festival with its partially masochistic seemingly rites.

On the hill and around the caves are home to many macaques, which can be fed by visitors, but also quite often just serve themselves.