Batu Caves is a religious site near Kuala Lumpur. It is situated 13 km to the north of the capital and at a short distance off the Ipoh Road. The Caves are located in a square where the Indian vendors have their stalls. The distinctive Hindu nature of the place, which is complete with small temples, Hindu worshipers dressed in their traditional attires, and their colorful carved figures of wood.

Three main caves and several small ones form the Batu Caves. The temple or the cathedral cave is the biggest and the best known cave in Kuala Lumpur. To reach the cave, is a very difficult task, as one needs to make their way through 272 rock stairs and innumerable macaque monkeys.

The Cave

The ceiling of the cave is more than 100m from above the ground. The cave is decorated with numerous painted sculptures and Hindu Gods. There are performances and parables versed by the priests there.

Dark Cave is below the temple cave and is 2 km long. To visit this cave, prior permission is required.

Thaipusam

Thaipusam is the main event which is held in the Batu Caves. This festival takes place mostly in the months of January and February. Almost 1 million people visit the place during the festival. It is a three day celebration and the devotees carry kavadis, large frameworks of metal skewers and hooks with them, which are used to pierce the skin, cheeks, and the tongue. The event falls on the tenth month of the Tamil Hindu calendar. The festival is held in the memory of Lord Murugan, the youngest son of Shiva and Parvati, who was believed to have been the manifestation of youth, beauty, masculinity, bravery, and vitality. It is also believed to be celebrated for the victory of the good over evil.

About the Festival

The jeweled chariot that carries the statue of Lord Murugan starts early in the morning around 4 am. Devotees walk around the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple and throw coconuts on the road. It takes almost 8 hours to complete the journey. The kavadis atone for their sins while walking up till the Batu Caves.

Some Useful Information

Do not forget to carry drinking water while walking up the Batu Caves, it is a long walk and quite exhausting.

Start for the Caves early in the morning, so that the walk is more comfortable, rather than walking under the hot sun.

Find a cheap cab to Batu Caves, cabs might cost around RM 6 to 8.

The entry to the Batu caves is absolutely free of cost.

Kuala Lumpur Bird park:

This extensive tropical bird park sits in the sprawling scenic and tranquil land of Lake Gardens. This 60-hectare park is popularly known as “Free-flight Walk-in aviary,’ and houses a wide-ranging species ranging from lovely peacocks to the unusual birds from the entire globe. It is home to nearly 200 diverse species and 5000 birds. Also, this lush verdure landscape forms a part of the green belt of Kuala Lumpur. However, the Lake Gardens were built up in the year 1888 and are an artificial one.

Tourists can grab fun and catch scenic views of the entire garden by taking a boat ride in the lake waters. The verdure garden bequeaths great picturesque views; one can grab some beautiful views while meandering in the walkways alongside green landscapes. This is an amusing park as it is open for picnic. This is a paradise for tourists as it offers everything for everyone, children will enjoy in the children’s playground, and adults can soothe themselves in the jogging trails, exercise stations and rowing boats. Apart from all these enchanting things, the Lake Gardens comprise of National Monument, Butterfly House, Bird Park, Orchid and Hibiscus Garden.

China Town:

The core of China Town is the Petaling Street which is ever filled with hustle and bustle, it never sleeps. Tourists who wish to explore the city should definitely tour in the Petaling Street as it offers great deals at cheap prices, only if you are a good bargainer. Even in day time, it offers for great bargains. Truly, it is an exhilarating spot which proffers merchandise at cheap prices and will stay a lifelong experience in their memories.

It is popular for its reputation as a premier shopping spot in the city. In the Petaling street, reclines a distinct and unusual ambiance, however visit during the night as the atmosphere is excellent. The street offers wide variety, so get there and catch up handful of excellent potpourris. To reach in Petaling Street, take a taxi ride or catch the bus ride which is offered by various bus companies.

The Petronas Twin towers:

The world’s tallest building was actually intended to be distinctive and unique, and not to be the tallest with an original height of 427m – 16 m short of Sears. This breath-taking marvel was designed by Argentinian architect Cesar Pelli. However, later in 1994, after a casual meeting between Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad and Cesar Pelli the Petronas Twin Tower was revamped to its peaking height of 452m. Today, the Twin Tower has an 88 storey office building. This 1.8 billion Ringgit project was officially opened on 31st August, 1999 by Malaysia’s fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad.

Skybridge:

The skybridge links the twin towers and facilitates swift flow between the twin towers. It is 192 feet long (58.4m) double-decker skybridge and links the Twin Tower at the 41st and the 42nd floor. This gigantic twin tower shelters Dewan Filharmonik Petronas- an 864-seat acoustic concert hall.

Suria KLCC:

Adjacent to the Petronas Twin Towers, lies Suria KLCC, the leading shopping mall of Kuala Lumpur City Center- KLCC. The mall is built in such a way that it gets maximum sunlight for spacious center court and therefore it is appropriately tagged as ‘Suria’ KLCC where ‘Suria’ denotes sunshine. This is a massive 6-level crescent shaped mall which is incorporated with over 200 shops of specialty stores, 3 departmental stores and a 300 local seat food court and theme restaurants on the fourth floor. At its base, there are numerous cafes that face the KLCC Park.

KL tower:

The KL Tower is actually a 421m high Telecommunications and Broadcasting Tower, which apparently seems to be taller than Petronas Twin Tower, because it is built over a hill.

Menara Kuala Lumpur:

In the city of Kuala Lumpur, there is another tower called Menara Kuala Lumpur which claims that it stands at a height of 515m, however this is not true as everyone are aware that the Petronas Twin Tower is the tallest in the world. This tower also claims to store the highest Mc Donald’s allover the world. However, going by the actual truth, says that Menara Kuala Lumpur stands fourth amidst tallest telecommunications towers in the world. This tower was erected over a time of 4 years and got complete in May 1996. It was created for the purpose of withstanding wind pressures up to 90 mph. get in the observation deck of this tower, from where you can grab a panoramic view of the entire city.

Batu Caves:

Located at a distance of 13 km to the north of the city Kuala Lumpur, this is a spiritual spot for the Hindus. It contains three major caves and numerous small caves. This limestone cave is 400m long and 100m high and was actually found in 1892. To reach the sacred and religious Batu Caves, you have to climb 272 steps. While your visit, you can view lots of monkeys which are spread in the caves and are desperately looking tourists for getting peanuts and bananas. Don’t worry, beneath the caves there are many shops.

Enthralling Kuala Lumpur – Part I

1. Shop until you drop:

Enjoy shopping spree in Kuala Lumpur; those people who just love shopping and don’t get bored of shopping… should definitely shop here in this shopper’s paradise. Ranging from classy and sophisticated malls alongside the Bukit Bintag Street to the economical roadside stalls in Chinatown, grab everything of your choice.

2. Explore the locals:

Get down on the streets and discover fascinations by yourself, go by the Petaling Street in Chinatown, and shop some excellent merchandise in this outdoor market which offers profuse options for shopping with innumerable stalls. Also, relish some indigenous dishes. Then move ahead, and pick up some decorative handicrafts from the close by Central Market; this market is famous for producing some very beautiful local handicrafts. However, don’t forget to bargain.

3. Gaze the gigantic Petronas Twin Tower:

Gape over the world’s tallest Petronas Twin Tower by beholding its massive and imposing view. Also, you can cross the Sky Bridge located at the elevation of 47th floor, the entrance if free; however people are entertained here on a first-cum first-serve basis. Therefore, grab this fun opportunity by reaching before 8 am so that you get hold of that ticket.

4. Peek-a-boo in bird sanctuary:

Go in the KL Bird Park which is reputed to be one of the largest aviaries allover the world. Get up close and personal with some unusual and rare birds in this all-embracing bird sanctuary. The rhinoceros hornbills are lovely birds.

5. Walk alongside legendary monuments:

Walk alongside numerous historical and antique milestones of Kuala Lumpur. Pass through the Moorish-inspired Old Railway Station, located after the adrenalizing blue dome of the National Mosque to Merdeka Square a.k.a. Independence Square. Here, the lofty flagpole is the highest in the whole world. Behold the pleasant view of peaceful confluence of Klang and Gombak Rivers. Besides there edge, sits the popular mosque called Masjid Jamek, don’t forget to pay your homage in this holy mosque.

6. Catch panoramic views:

Get in the observation deck of the 421 meters high KL Tower a.k.a. Menara KL. From here, see a matchless bird’s eye view of the city. Gaze the spectacular summit of the Petronas Twin Tower from the heights. For beholding mesmerizing views, get there before the sunset so that you get to see scenic views when the city lightens up and the skyscrapers turn golden.

7. Spiritual visit:

Move to the legendary Hindu shrines in the interiors of Batu Caves. Situated at a distance of 13 kms from the North of KL, this gigantic limestone protrusion shelters numerous caves and cave temples. For reaching the main cave temple , climb over 272 steps.

8. Visit to aquarium:

View a trailer of what you can expect in the Malaysian seas, by paying visit to the Aquaria that sits adjoining to the Petronas Twin Tower.

9. Munch the indigenous cuisines:

Go to the Jalan Alor Street, which is esteemed to be the core of KL’s indigenous cuisines. In the street’s stalls, you will get to eat some of the world’s diverse and yummiest dishes, loads of food stalls serve wide-ranging food items from Chinese, Indian, Malay, Thai and Indonesian delicacies. The aura of the street is exhilarating and these many foods and foot stalls will awe-inspire the tourists. Relish the taste of varied meals.

10. Enjoy the roller coaster ride:

Last but not the least, sit in the KL Monorail and grab scenic views of the entire city by passing through the top of the trees.

Even today, Kuala Lumpur remains a city with roadway cracks and potholes where you have to be vigilant every time, so that you don’t crash over it. But don’t just magnify your eyes over the streets and behold the broader view of the horizon and surroundings. Over a period of 150 years, Kuala Lumpur has transformed from the old image of shabby tin huts in the forests regions to a vigorous contemporary metropolitan terrain. Today, it proudly stands as a home to the radiant Petronas Tower, a classical design which until recently bagged a reputation of being the world’s tallest building.

In the scuttle of flourishing, Kuala Lumpur has devastated its ancient buildings; but still there survives few old colonial epoch architects. However, the city’s premiere masterpieces and stunning architects include Chinatown, Little India and Kampung Baru which are the core spirit of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinese, Indian and Malay communities. This multi-ethnic culture adds more fascinations to its charm, its here where at one place you would be burning joss sticks at a Chinese temple and the next time you would be removing your shoes to worship in a Hindu temple or mosque.

Tourists will gain pleasure in this diverse terrain as they can shop, eat and roam like a king. Here, the nightlife’s atmosphere is just unusual. Those who are seeking serenity in Kuala Lumpur, this place is an idyllic destination to chill in scenic lush green landscapes and authentic natural ambiance in the neighboring hamlet of Selangor. Also, city’s green parks offer amusement to the tourists. Other striking destinations worth a visit.

Islamic Arts Museum:

Explore Malaysia’s intriguing Islamic history at the Islamic Arts Museum. This beautiful museum exhibits some of the marvelous display of Islamic art forms in the entire globe. The whole building is filled with remarkable Islamic architectural descriptions and its galleries are incorporated with beautiful carpets, costumes, jewelry, religious manuscripts, textiles, tiles, ceramics and weapons.

The most prominent and striking structures include a splendid recreation of an Ottoman room and an array of small models of renowned mosques from allover the world. The edifice has also incorporated a chic restaurant which serves Middle Eastern buffet lunches at weekends and there is a superb shop that sells high-class Islamic arts and crafts.

Thean Hou Temple:

To the South of Brickfields, lies this elaborate and impressive modern temple which has been created by the Chinese Community. Adorning a forested hilltop, this lofty temple is filled with extravagant statues and covered by a rising dragon roof. The main temple is devoted to the Godly Mother Thean Hou, which is joined by Guan Yin- the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy to the right and Shuiwei Shengniang- the Goddess of the Waterfront to the left. The shrine’s upper deck affords stunning scenic views, while the lobby shelters hawker stalls and stalls which sell prayer beads and other spiritual knick-knackery.

For getting an access to the religious shrine, catch a taxi or bus from the Klang bus stop. After this, proceed upwards the hills straight to the holy temple. There is another route to get in the temple, for that catch a monorail to Tun Sambanthan station, get across Jln Syed Putra theorugh the bridge and then walk up the hill.