Batu Caves, Malaysia

Ms. Rania Moda infront of
The Statue of Lord Murugan
(photo courtesy by Rania Moda)

Ini adalah patung dewa Murugan......dewanya umat Hindu.... Batu Caves terletak di Selangor kira-kira 13 km atau setengah jam perjalanan by bus or train dari Kuala lumpur. Patung ini setinggi 43 meter dan diyakinin sebagai patung Hindu tertinggi di dunia. (waah..Candi Prambanan kalah tinggi nich...ga apa dech yang penting ngetop juga..). Anak tangga dibelakangnya itu berjumlah 272 anak tangga menuju kuil didalam Goa. Sepanjang perjalanan anak tangga itu banyak ditemui kera-kera yang jinak dan tidak mengganggu pengunjung. waktu yang tepat untuk berkunjung ke Batu Caves adalah pas perayaan tahun baru Hindu , ada perayaan yang namanya Thaipusam
Batu Caves is a limestone hill, which has a series of caves and cave temples, located in Gombak district, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It takes its name from the Sungai Batu or Batu River, which flows past the hill. Batu Caves is also the name of the nearby village.

The cave is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is the focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia.(Wilkipedia)

Tapi Hindu-nya aliran India lho..beda banget sama Hindu Bali...patung ini konon dibikin di India dan langsung di bawa ke Malaysia dan dipasang disini....pas aku kesana sudah mulai rame karena 2 hari lagi ada Thaipusam.....makanya itu ada foto orang mau melakukan persembahan dengan. membawa nasi dan susu untuk disiramkan di patung dewa Murugan yang didalam goa yang tinggi itu.....tapi batu cave cenderung kotor...banyak sampah ....dan tentu saja penuuuuhhhhh orang India....serasa di Jaipur deh kalo disini....bener-bemer gak ada orang melayu disini.....

Kera di Batu Caves,..a monkey in Batu Caves
(photo courtesy by Wilkipedia)

Wooden steps up to the Temple Cave were built in 1920 and have since been replaced by 272 concrete steps. Of the various cave temples that comprise the site, the largest and best known is the Temple or Cathedral Cave, so named because it houses several Hindu shrines beneath its 100 m vaulted ceiling.

Getting There

Batu Caves is 13 km from Kuala Lumpur City. The easiest way to reach Batu Caves is by Komuter train from KL Sentral station. It costs RM 2 for one way journey. You can also take a taxi, which would cost 20-25 RM from KL Sentral (insist for meter ride). You can also reach Batu Caves by bus 11/11d Buses from Bangkok Bank Terminus (Near to Puduraya Terminus) or Bus U6 from Titiwangsa

(Wilkipedia)

(lovingly posted with big help from Ms. Rania Moda, and Indonesian mom to two young boys, who recently visited Batu Caves, Malaysia on January 17th,2011, while the Thaipusam itself was on January 20th)