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©Image by Chowdhury Mohammad Masum Refat from Pixabay

The spectacular Hindu sanctuary of the Batu Caves

Located just 13 kilometers from the capital, the famous Batu Caves are one of Malaysia's most iconic tourist destinations. This impressive set of limestone caves, with a geological origin dating back more than 400 million years, is home to an intricate Hindu temple system that attracts pilgrims and tourists from around the world.

The Batu Caves are home to one of the most important Hindu shrines outside of India and is dedicated to the god Murugan. Access to the cave complex is via a staircase of nearly 300 steps flanked by a majestic statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and wisdom. This monumental golden sculpture, at a height of some 42 meters, is the largest Hindu statue in the world outside India and an unmistakable landmark in the cave area.

Once inside the huge cavern, the visitor will be treated to a colorful scene full of life, typical of colorful Hindu architecture. The cave complex is composed of four main caves: the Temple Cave, the Dark Cave, the Cave Villa and the Ramayana Cave. The largest and most famous cave of all is the Temple Cave, home also to several art galleries and Hindu temples.

With its complex of caves, temples and shrines, the Batu Caves are an impressive center of Hindu pilgrimage, as well as being a major tourist attraction for the country.

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©Image by WIL from Flickr

Inside the caves.

The Temple Cave is the main attraction of the complex. It is a large cavern with a height of about 100 meters and a width of about 50 meters. The cave is illuminated by the sun that enters through the opening in the ceiling, creating an impressive effect. The temples inside the cave are rich in detail and are adorned with statues of Hindu gods and goddesses. Several altars and shrines dedicated to different deities, such as Lord Murugan, Lord Shiva and the goddess Kali, can be seen.

The so-called Cave Villa is another interesting cave within the complex because it houses a large collection of art, mainly sculptures. Most of the sculptures are Hindu-themed and are made of different materials such as wood, metal and stone. Visitors can view the impressive art collection in the gallery inside the cave.

In addition to the caves, the complex houses other temples and open-air shrines. At the base of the hill, for example, is the Sri Subramaniam Temple, another Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. This temple also has access to other galleries in the cave complex, including a snake shrine and another dedicated to the goddess Parvati. Visitors can also see a large statue of Hanuman, the monkey god, outside the temple. In fact, the complex is home to a large community of macaques that roam freely and feed on whatever visitors offer them.

Another popular attraction at the Batu Caves is the Thaipusam Festival, which is held at the beginning of the year. The festival is a Hindu celebration that pays homage to Lord Murugan and is considered one of the most spectacular religious festivals in the world. During the festival, Hindu devotees wear kavadis, structures decorated with flowers and fruits, as they climb the nearly 300 steps leading up to the Temple Cave. Many of the devotees also pierce their skin with hooks and needles as part of the ritual.

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