Batu Caves
Batu Caves · Selangor, Malaysia (northern outskirts of Kuala Lumpur)
A Hindu holy site in limestone caves: a towering golden statue of Lord Murugan guards the rainbow steps, and tens of thousands of pilgrims come every Thaipusam.
Antes de ir · Know before you go
- Clothes must cover shoulders and knees — wraps can be rented at the entrance
- don't feed the monkeys, and keep a tight grip on food and plastic bags
- don't disturb people at worship
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Stories & people
Historias y personajes
Historia
A cave mouth shaped like a spear
The entrance to Batu Caves is shaped very like the vel, the divine spear held by Lord Murugan, and this is said to be what convinced the Tamil merchant Thamboosamy Pillai to build a temple in the cave. The temple was completed in 1891, and the Thaipusam festival began the following year. At first devotees had to climb the hill unaided to reach the temple; wooden steps were installed in 1920, began to rot in the 1930s, and in 1940 were replaced by today's 272 concrete steps.
Fuente: Wikipedia: Batu Caves
Culture
Cultura y costumbres
Contexto cultural
Batu Caves is a group of caves in a limestone hill on the northern outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. In 1891 the Indian merchant K. Thamboosamy Pillai built a temple to the Hindu war god Murugan in the cave, and from the next year (1892) the Thaipusam pilgrimage has been held here every year. In 1920 a wooden staircase was built up to the main cave; in 1940 it was replaced by the 272 concrete steps still in use today. The golden statue of Murugan, about 43 m tall, at the foot of the steps is the most striking landmark.
Costumbres locales
- This is a Hindu holy site: remove your shoes in the temple areas
- during Thaipusam devotees climb the steps carrying ornate kavadi to fulfil vows
Religión y creencias
Hindu, mainly dedicated to Lord Murugan.
Etiquette
Normas y tabúes
No lo haga DON'T
- Clothes must cover shoulders and knees — wraps can be rented at the entrance
- don't feed the monkeys, and keep a tight grip on food and plastic bags
- don't disturb people at worship
Lo que aprecian los locales DO
Worshippers appreciate visitors who dress appropriately and stand quietly to one side during ceremonies.
Plan your visit
Información práctica
| Mejor época | Morning |
|---|---|
| Tiempo recomendado | 2 hours |
Consejos de viaje
- Commuter trains run straight from KL Sentral
- the stairs are long, so go in the cooler morning
- Thaipusam falls in the Tamil month of Thai (January–February), with huge crowds — arrive early to see the rituals
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