After the initial surprises we got after getting into Kuala Lumpur, we relaxed a bit and had a quick meal at McDonalds located within KL Sentral and then headed out to Batu Caves located in the north of the city...
At KL Sentral, we navigated our way through the convoluted chaos of the station and reached the KTM Komuter platform, one of the local train operators, which operates the line between Port Klang, a port serving KL, and Batu caves.
By now we were accustomed to the chaotic way of life here and patiently waited for the train to come. It did come but nearly 10 minutes late. And then there was a mad scramble to board. In about 30 minutes of an uneventful journey, on board a rundown wagon, we reached the Batu Caves station.
Batu Caves are a cave system that lie within a limestone hill that is estimated to be to be around 400 million years old. Some of the cave entrances were used as shelters by the indigenous Temuan people.
Batu Caves was developed as a place of worship by an Indian trader and philanthrophist, K. Thamboosamy Pillai, in the late 1800s. He was inspired by the 'vel'-shaped entrance of the main cave - that prompted him to dedicate a temple to Lord Murugan within the caves.
The shrine at the entrance greeted us as we exited the train station...
The intricate gopuram of the shrine...
The limestone hills are massive...
A Chinese couple enjoying their time here...
The 42.7-metre high statue of Lord Murugan is a recent addition - it was unveiled in January 2006, having taken 3 years to construct and is the tallest Lord Murugan statue in the world. It is decorated with gold paint brought in from Thailand...
Impressive indeed!
272 steps lead you into the main cave...
I guess one the things that are really bothersome about Batu Caves are the monkeys and pigeons here...
This climb reminded us of the Heavenly Gate at Tianmenshan Mountain in Zhangjiajie...
Entrance to the cave...
The cave is indeed huge... but it was too humid inside...
A curio shop...
Replicas of Lord Murugan's statue on sale... But we had to head back to KL Sentral...
We again boarded a KTM Komuter train headed for Klang Port. This time around, the train was a lot better and comfortable...
The list of Don'ts on the train was interesting - Prohibited - Smoking / Eating & Drinking / Littering / Chewing Gum / Indecent Behaviour / Hazardous Material / Animals...
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