Batu Caves

Rising almost 100 meters above ground, the Batu Caves temple complex is a one-of-a-kind group of cave temples located within a massive limestone outcrop in Gombak.

Details

A 140-foot statue of Hindu deity Lord Murugan, visible from miles away, stands guard outside Batu Caves. This statue is the tallest of a Hindu deity in Malaysia, and the third tallest of its kind in the world, behind only Nepal’s Kailashnath Mahadev Statue and Indonesia’s Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue.

Each year around January or February, the caves draw huge international crowds of up to 1.5 million people during Thaipusam, an elaborate festival paying homage to Lord Murugan.

The temple complex

The Batu Caves temple complex consists of three main and several smaller caves, all of which are home to many families of long-tailed macaques.

Near the entrance to the caves are minimarts, restaurants serving delicious Indian vegetarian food and barbershops where visitors or devotees can shave their heads.

Temple Cave
The biggest, known as Temple or Cathedral Cave, features ornate Hindu shrines and has a high ceiling that opens up to the sky. Entry is free, but to reach it, visitors must first climb a steep flight of 272 steps.

Ramayana Cave
Situated to the extreme left as one faces the sheer wall of the hill, this cave boasts psychedelic dioramas of its namesake, the Indian epic Ramayana.

Cave Villa
At the base of the hill lies Cave Villa, connected to the rest of the complex by a raised walkway that takes you through a koi pond and water garden. Hourly dance performances are held here amid an intricate backdrop of statues, paintings and shrines dedicated to Hindu deities.

Dark Cave
The main path to the Dark Cave begins at step 204 of the 272 concrete steps one must climb to reach the main temple. In total, the Dark Cave comprises over two kilometers of passageways that you can explore by joining a guided tour.

Rock Climbing – Gua Damai/Damai Cave/Damai Wall
The caves have been a hub for rock climbing in Malaysia for the past decade or so, offering many climbing routes scattered across the limestone hills’ northeastern facade, called Damai Wall or Damai Cave, which rises up to 150 meters in some places.

▶ Gua Damai Rock Climbing – Book today

Stay

Opening hours

Note: Closing times – Hindu temples generally close from 1 to 4pm, but the complex may still be visited during this time. However, the best time to visit would be early in the morning or during mid-afternoon.

Price/Entrance fees

Parking: RM2 per entry

▶ Half-day Batu Caves, Royal Selangor Pewter, Batik factory & Malay villages tour – Book today

Nearby

The temple complex is located near the following attractions:

• FRIM (Forest Research Institute Malaysia) (±7km)
• Kanching Waterfall, Muzium Orang Asli Selangor (±14)
• Air Terjun Sungai Pisang, Sungai Tua Recreational Forest (±15)

Gallery

Batu Caves during Thaipusam.

Crowd during Thaipusam in Batu Caves.