Batu Caves, a tourist attraction just
north of Kuala Lumpur, is a sacred
place for the Hindu's in Malaysia.
These limestone caves discovered in
1892, consist of three main caves and
a number of smaller ones. Temple
Cave or Cathedral Cave is the biggest
of the caves. The ceiling of this cave
is 100m above ground and this huge
chamber is lit by sunlight from several
holes in the ceiling. To get to the cave
entrance, you will have to climb 272
steps.

Once a year, on the festival of
Thaipusam, as many as 800,000
devotees and visitors come to these
limestone caves to offer prayers, pay
penance or fulfill a vow. As a sacrifice,
many of them carry Kavadis, which are
large, brightly decorated frameworks,
usually combined with various metal
hooks and skewers, used to pierce the
skin, cheeks and tongue. The
devotees are accompanied by
relatives and friends. They provide
support with dance parades, songs,
drums and the flutes. As they arrive at
the shrine at the Batu Caves, the
Swami removes the hooks, spears etc.
The vow is finally fulfilled. Thaipusam,
a celebration for the son of Shiva
(Subramaniam) and the becoming
"one" of  Pusan and the Brihaspati
stars, is held in the tenth month of the
Hindu calendar (sometime at the end
of January).  
Inside the main cave at Batu Caves
BATU CAVES
Thaipusam is an extraordinary
festival celebrated in honour
of Lord Muruga, also known
as Lord Subramaniam. Kuala
Lumpur is probably the best
place to enjoy this colorful and
fascinating festival as this is
where Lord Muruga's jewelled
chariot is led though the
streets of the city, culminating
at the Batu Caves in Selangor.
The sights and sounds of
thousands of devotees
carrying body piercing
kavadis, or ornate frames as
penance makes this a once in
lifetime'' experience.
The Kavadi which represents a
miniature shrine is placed on the
shoulders of the devotee. Chains
are dropped from the central body
of the Kavadi and hooked onto the
flesh of the bearer. Some have
piercing through their cheeks and
tongues. Others hook limes,
oranges or coconuts onto their
bodies. Women usually carry a silver
jug full of milk on their heads.
Up the stairs, all the way to the cave
entrance, you will find curious
onlookers - monkeys. You can
purchase peanuts and bananas at
the base of the caves as a treat for
these monkeys
Visitors to Batu Caves during Thaipusam
Indian drummers at Batu Caves during Thaipusam
A devotee carrying a Kavadi during Thaipusam
Statue of an Indian God at Batu Caves
A monkey on the steps leading to the cave
Batu Caves - 272 steps to the caverns
Thaipusam
Sunlight shining through an opening in the cave
Don't forget to wear some comfortable
shoes when visiting Batu Caves.
You have 272 steps to climb!
PYRAMID TOWER AT
SUNWAY RESORT HOTEL
Located Just Outside The Far
Reaches Of Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, The Pyramid Tower At
Sunway Resort Hotel Stands Amid
The Sunway Lagoon Resort, An
800-Acre Entertainment Complex.
Adjacent To The Sunway Pyramid
Mall, A Shopping Center, The
Pyramid Tower Is Less Than One
Kilometer From The Sunway
Lagoon Theme Park And A Medical
Center. The Kuala Lumpur
International Airport Is
Approximately 45 Kilometers Away.
SUNWAY RESORT
HOTEL & SPA
The 21-Story Sunway Lagoon Resort
Hotel Is Located Within An 800-Acre
Resort Destination Known As
"Resort-in-the-city." Featuring A Theme
Park, Extreme Park, Shopping Mall,
Medical Center And Conference Facilities.
Istana Hotel
Istana Hotel Is Strategically Located
Within The Golden Triangle Business
And Commercial Center Of Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. Nearby Attractions
Include The Bintang Walk Shopping And
Entertainment Hub.
The street and train stop in front of Sungei Wang Plaza
Inner City
Transportation
One of the most economic
ways to see the city of
Kuala Lumpur is to ride one
of the many inner city
trains. Hop off at the many
local attractions and
shopping malls.
Dark caves by the Malaysia Nature Society
Among the majestic four million years old limestone ranges in Batu
Caves, just 12 km north of Kuala Lumpur, lies one of the nature’s most
amazing wonders. Rising 300 feet from ground, the Dark Caves seem
rather imposing and alluring at once.

Step into the dark passages from a magical journey back in time and
be awed at the enchanting beauty of the Dark Caves. Made up of a 2
km leading passage and five chambers, the Dark Cave forms one of
nature’s most fragile and unique eco-systems.

The sheer beauty of natural formations adorning these caverns stood
in juxtaposition of the darken realm. Grand columns standing erect,
natural erosion of the elements and deposition left a marked trail that
dates to millennia.

Stalactites jutting from the cave’s ceiling and stalagmites raising from
the floor, form unique and intricate formations such as cave curtains,
flow stones, cave pearls and scallops which took thousands of years to
gradually form. Indeed, these amazing wonders whisper ancient
secrets and history in all its beauty and splendour.

A trip to the Dark Caves will surely leave a lasting impression. For a bit
of adventure and roughing it out, step into the enchanting chambers of
the Dark Caves.

Activities
· Cave trip (approximately 1 ½ hours)
· Adventure Tour (approximately 4hours)
· Walking up 226 steps to the cave entrance

Daily visits to the Dark Caves, at 10.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Advanced
booking is necessary for the adventure tour.
For more details, kindly contact: Malaysian Nature Society JKR 641,
Jalan Kelantan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 603- 2287 9422 Fax: 603-
2287 8773
E-mail:
hod.parks@mns.org.my
Dark Caves - Photo credit: MNS Library, 03-08-2006
An Introduction to Dark Caves
Malaysia Nature Society
Luminous fireflies
Often called
“A Night of a Thousand Stars”,
this wonderful sight is provided by
Mother Nature on the coastal town
of Kampung Kuantan.
This village is surrounded by
fruit orchids and mangrove trees.
Get on a "Sampan"
(Malaysian boat) and
ride down the river,
taking in fireflies on display.
What a spectacular sight.
Then have dinner at the fishing
village and try some of the local
seafood at a restaurant on the river.
An evening to remember.
This video is a walking tour of Chinatown (Petaling Street) in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. Visit shoppers row, selling everything from T-shirts and
trinkets to jewelry and fashionable items. Walk through the narrow streets
of the wet market. See and smell fresh food items on display. Stop by
temples and tourist sites along the way.
Video of Chinatown - Petaling Street
Riding elephants at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary
Visit the Elephants.....
Go there.....
Hold a monkey at the Sunway petting zoo
Sunway Petting
Zoo
Go there.....
The dome of the Blue Mosque in Shah Alam, Malaysia
Visit the Blue
Mosque in Selangor
Go there.....
Visit the Khoo
Kongsi on Penang
Island
Go there.....
Go antique
shopping in Melaka.
Go there.....
Berjaya Times Square
Berjaya
Times
Square
Go there.....
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