Batu Caves

Lord Murugan · near Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Malaysia

Batu Caves is a limestone hill with large caves just outside Kuala Lumpur, home to one of the most famous Murugan (Kārttikeya) shrines outside India. A giant golden statue of Murugan stands at the foot of a long, brightly painted staircase of 272 steps that leads up to the Temple Cave.

The great festival is Thaipusam, in the Tamil month of Thai (January–February), when hundreds of thousands of devotees walk in procession, many carrying kāvaḍis — decorated frames or pots of milk — in fulfilment of vows. Monkeys live on the steps, so keep food and bags closed.

Tradition says Thaipusam marks the day Pārvatī gave Murugan the vel, her divine spear, to defeat the demon Sūrapadman. Devotees carry kāvaḍis in memory of Idumban, who carried two hills on a pole for the sage Agastya and was blessed by Murugan.

Malaysia · Murugan · Thaipusam · 272 steps

Holy Places and Pilgrimage · Ask a Jyotishi your own question