Just a few miles north of Kuala Lumpur are the amazing Batu Caves in Selangor, whose capital is Shah Alam The caves at Batu are one of the largest outcrops of limestone cliffs in South East Asia. These spectacular caves have been applauded by international wildlife specialists as being a natural haven for some of the world’s most interesting and unique flora and fauna. The caves house an impressive array of bats, white racer snakes and scorpions, and special tours can be arranged by the Malaysian Nature Society for interested visitors.
Batu Caves, however, is best known as a Hindu shrine. The most photographed feature is the caves 272 steps which you have to climb to get into the Temple Cave. The place really comes alive during the wonderful Hindu festival of Thaipusam which is a holy festival celebrated in honour of the diety Lord Murugam.
During this period thousands of Hindus and visitors jam the road leading to the caves. Thaipusam takes place in late January or early February as determined by the Hindu calendar. On the eve, a statue of Lord Subramaniam is taken for a procession on a charriot drawn by bullocks, through the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves.
During Thaipusam ’’...Kavadi’ bearers accompanied by well wishers and other devotees will undertake the harrowing climb up the 272 steps. There is a bewildering array of ’’...Kavadi..’’ varying from a simple pot of cows milk carried on the head of the Hindu devotee to a 30-foot skewer pierced through the cheeks of the devotee. The usual ’’...Kavadi..’’ is composed of aluminium with ferocious looking spikes fanning out from the body. Hooks or spikes extend from the kavadi to various parts of the devotee’s body. These will be gaily decorated with the likes of coloured paper, garlands of flowers and various other trinkets.The many Western visitors that watch the procession are amazed at the composure of the devotees.
At the bottom of the caves, another cavern houses an art gallery. Visitors can view the very colourful statues and wall paintings of many Hindu deities and characters from Hindu mythology. Monkeys and pigeons roam around whilst turtles and fishes are housed in a very picturesque pond.
I dont know how well Batu Caves compares to the many outstanding sites in India-all I do know is that many visitors are highly impressed with what they see when they visit Batu Caves.It is easily reached from the Selangor capital of Shah Alam and from Kuala Lumpur.
An interesting part of the history of Batu Caves (which translates as ’’...rock caves..’’) is that they were ’’discovered’’ in the late 19th century by an American naturalist, William Hornaby.