Globe > Asia > Malaysia > Batu Caves > Batu Caves

Batu Caves

A holy Hindu shrine in an enormous, monkey-filled limestone cavern

The vel shaped opening of the main cave, as seen from inside

Click to Enlarge

Inside the main cave

Click to Enlarge

The 272 steps to the main cave, guarded by Murugan

Click to Enlarge

Long tailed-macaque monkeys want your sunglasses

Click to Enlarge

Category Curious Caves, Strange Statues, Rites and Rituals, Curious Places of Worship

During Thaipusam, an annual celebration of the triumph of good over evil, hundreds of thousands of spiritual pilgrims climb the 272 stairs into the Batu Caves carrying kavadis, symbolic burdens which include elaborate body piercings. Observed each year in January or February according to the Tamil calender, the festival of Thaipasam honors the Hindu god Murugan and his victory over the demon Surapadman with his vel, or lance. Festival goers wearing yellow or orange observe traditions including shaving of the head, and carry kavadis representing the fulfillment of vows to Murugan, thanking him for favors done or in advance for future favors sought.

The most common kavadis are fruit, flowers, or a pail of milk, but others are as elaborate as heavy peacock-feather covered shrines carried on the head, representing the defeated demon who was transformed into a peacock. The most famous images of the festival are of devotees with cheeks and tongues pierced with ceremonial lances, and others hauling large kavadis from hooks in their backs. The piercings, along with fasting and ritual, induce a trance-like state intended to focus thoughts inward. At the caves a swami removes the piercings, lifting the spiritual burden.

Located 7 miles outside of Kuala Lumpur, the caves were made famous in 1878 by zoologist William Temple Hornaday, better known for the time he put a Pygmy tribesman on display in the monkey house at New York's Zoological Park. During Malaysia's colonial heyday, the caves were a popular site for picnicking British couples. The stairs were added in more recent times.

The gallery of the main Temple Cave at the top of the stairs is 300 feet high and 1200 feet long, with small openings letting in natural light. A smaller gallery is up another fight of stairs, mostly open to the sky. Two other smaller caves are also at the site.

In 2006, a 140 foot tall concrete statue of Murugan was added at the foot of the stairs in the weeks preceding Thaipasam, a giant chrysanthemum garland draped around his shoulders by construction crane.

The caves are home to colonies of long tailed-macaque monkeys which roam the stairs and the caves, and have been known to swipe sunglasses, cameras, and snacks from tourists.

In 2009, more than a million people visited the caves during Thaipusam.

See an error? Know more? Edit this place.