We explored the Batu Caves. It is a limestone hill that formed several cave structures that are said to be about 400 million years old. The caves inside house a religious Hindu site & temples that date back almost a century. It is one of the most popular Tamil Hindu shrines outside of India. In 1890 an Indian trader named Pillai was inspired by the vel shaped entrance to the cave which symbolizes Hindu Lord Murugan & hence the temples were built as a place of worship there. The stairs built in 1920 were wooden until they were replaced by the current 275 colorful concrete ones that you see here that lead to the largest main cathedral or temple cave. The caves indigenous inhabitants are bats and macaque monkeys ? which we did not see at first & eventually once inside the main cave, the monkeys made their presence known by descending the massive vertical limestone walls to collect fruit & coconut meat that worshipers & tourists were presenting. We were all fascinated & entertained by watching the monkeys so skillfully navigate the steep wall to collect their banana or coconut husks. The impressive & ornate golden statue outside the stairs & cave complex took over 3 years to build & 15 sculptors. It is the largest Lord Murugan in the world & stands at just over 140 feet tall. We really enjoyed seeing the contrasts of colors & the beautiful history & religious site that seems to be literally juxtaposed and carved into the landscape here in Malaysia. ??
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