Merry Malaysia: Batu Caves

Climb hundred steps to this sacred Hindu temple and delve into the dark cave rooted on top.

Dubbed as the focal point of Hinduism culture in Malaysia, Batu Caves attracts hundreds of visitors a day and more than 1 million guests during Thaipusam, a yearly Hindu festival being strictly observed by the Tamil community.

We took the KTM Komuter since it was the easiest route coming from Kuala Lumpur. The train was spotless and looks relatively new. The seats were like a fusion of a bus and train. It is very spacious too, making our trip to the Batu Caves a lot more conducive.

From the train, it’s a 5-minute walk towards the entrance of the Batu Caves.  We were greeted by a green humongous idol that resembles like a monkey but with the body of a man.

There were also a cornucopia of vendor stalls selling religious ornaments and flower offerings. Some also sell bird food alongside some local bites. Pretty interesting and absurd at the same time.

The entire area was embellished with various open prayer halls wherein removing any type of footwear was firmly heeded.

My eyes drifted around and found a deluge of colorful Hindu figures fixed at the top of every sacred ground. Great piece of architecture, I say.

And just a stone’s throw away from where we are standing, the massive statue of Lord Murugan was exceptionally hovering over us. It was designated as one of the tallest Murugan statue in the world.

It was my birthday that day and I secretly whispered a short prayer to this Hindu God. Sometimes,  it wouldn’t hurt to try someone’s faith, doesn’t it?

Meanwhile, just beneath the golden sculpture, army of doves were silently devouring their meal given by the elated foreigners and residents.

The most crucial part of visiting this place apart from the massive, limestone-made cavern itself, is climbing the 272 steps that can make your heart go pumping wild. Devotees from various parts of the world even have their shoes removed while ascending their way to the top.

We managed to take a few breaths before taking another shot, up to the sanctified site. Platoon of monkeys wanders in the area, they can get near you, play with you and even eat with you. Some of the tourists were really entertained at the sight of these mischievous mammals. We tried our best to avoid them since we don’t fancy this kind of attraction.

Soon, we made our way to the anticipated sanctuary. The floor was damp by cause of the drippings coming from the cave’s ceiling. The air was hot and a bit offensive. We were greeted by another set of colorful deities that lurks on every bend. Hindu music plays in the background, creating a solemn sensation for every guest.

The cave made of limestone was beautifully and artistically carved by time. My field of vision was brimming with reverence and I can’t absorb the fact that a place like this exist in the middle of a concrete jungle. It was such an unbelievable sight.

Patch of greens can be visibly seen on the walls and the blinding light soon find its way to penetrate the open hole. Flock of tourists and locals quietly worships on every altar. Chickens strolling and putrid smell aside, everything inside this blessed shrine was phenomenal. A gift of nature to its people.

Malaysia has been so far a great place to visit if you want to experience rich culture from a Muslim country. They had the right blend of progress while preserving their long time beliefs and tradition. This may not be as prominent in comparison to other neighboring countries, but they are sure to be one of those places one can considered to be as Southeast Asia’s finest.

Getting Here:
By Car or Taxi
Batu Caves is accessible by car or taxi as it is situated beside the main highway of MRR2 in Batu Caves area.

KTM Komuter
There is also the KTM Komuter train service from KL Sentral to Batu Caves.

Monorail and Bus
From KL Sentral, take the monorail service to Titiwangsa station. Alight here and take the bus to Batu Caves.

Tourism Info Line
Phone: 1300 88 5050
Email: enquiries@tourism.gov.my

Entrance Fee: None

(Directions courtesy of Malaysia’ official tourism website)

 

Note: This Malaysia trip was held last December 2012.