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Long before Batu Caves became a popular tourist attraction, the caves had already been explored and used as a shelter by the indigenous Temuan people (a tribe of Orang Asli or the Malaysia Indigenous People). Batu Caves gained worldwide popularity when American naturalist William Hornaday came upon them in 1878. Deeply impressed by the extent and beauty of the largest cave, he compared it to a grand cathedral.

Thereafter Batu Caves was promoted as a place of worship by K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian trader. He 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, Pillai, who also founded the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, installed the murti (consecrated statue) of Sri Subramania Swamy in what is today known as the Temple Cave.

Lord Muruga at
Batu Caves

Limestone Inside
The Batu Caves

It was only then Batu Caves was converted into a shrine dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Murugan and soon became the most important pilgrimage site for Malaysia’s Hindus. During the annual Thaipusam festival, held in late January or early February, a spectacular scene unfolds here, when an estimated one million pilgrims visit the caves.

Dominating the entrance to the caves is a 141-ft (43m) tall golden statue of Lord Murugan. The statue, which cost approximately Rupees 24 million, is made of 1550 cubic metres of concrete, 250 tonnes of steel bars and 300 litres of gold paint brought in from neighboring Thailand. The 42.7m (130 feet high) high statue of Lord Muruga was unveiled in January 2006, having taken 3 years to construct. It is the tallest Lord Muruga statue in the world.

From the entrance a steep flight of 272 steps leads up to the main cave. Also known as Temple or Cathedral Cave, it is 328ft (100m) high and is partially lit by shafts of light that stream through gaps in the roof. The cave walls are lined with numerous statues of Lord Murugan, along with those of other Hindu gods, including Shiva, Ganesh and Durga. The dome of the cave is richly painted with scenes from the Hindu scriptures.

In a chamber behind the central shrine is the statue of another deity, Lord Rama which is housed in the Ramayana Cave. The Ramayana Cave depicts the story of Rama in a chronicle manner quite effectively. The cave is well lit and allows the visitor to stroll leisurely viewing the depictions along the irregular walls of the cave. One might experience the feeling that one is strolling through the giant intestines of the mighty demon, Kumbhakarann, brother of King Ravana of Lanka.

Thaipusam parade at
Batu Caves