Batu Caves
Batu Caves is one of Malaysia's most famous tourist destinations, consisting of a limestone hill which has a series of caves and cave temples, and is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside of India. It is dedicated to Lord Muruga, the God of war and the patron deity of Tamil Nadu (the eleventh largest state in India). It provides the focal point of the annual Thaipusam festival in Malaysia and attracts more than 1.5 million pilgrims, making it one of the largest gatherings in history. The festival is celebrated on the full moon in the Tamil month - which falls in late January/early February - to commemorate the birthday of Lord Muruga. Rising almost 100 m above the ground, Batu Caves consists of three main caves and a few smaller ones, the largest and best known being the Cathedral Cave, so named because it houses several Hindu shrines beneath its vaulted ceiling.
To reach it, visitors have to climb a steep flight of 272 steps. The stairway is divided into steps which each lead to a landing, designed for viewing the scenery from different heights and for people to rest on their ascending journey. At the base of the hill are two more cave temples, Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave, both of which are full of Hindu statues and paintings. Many of the shrines relate the story of Lord Muruga's victory over an evil demon Soorapadam. An audio tour is available to visitors. The Ramayana Cave occurs to the extreme left as one faces the sheer wall of the hill. On the way to the Ramayana Cave is a 50-foot (15 m) tall murti (iconic symbol) of Hanuman and a temple dedicated to the noble monkey devotee and aide of Lord Rama. The Ramayana Cave depicts the story of Rama, it is well lit and allows the visitor to stroll leisurely viewing the evocative scenes of many other Indian epic myths artistically painted along the irregular walls of the cave.
Location
It is located in the Gombak district, 13 km north of the Capital Kuala Lumpur in 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. It is close to the main highways leading to the northern parts and the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Take Intrakota bus No 11D from the Central Market annexe or the Cityliner bus No 69 at Jalan Pudu to get to Batu Caves. Taxis are also available anywhere around city.Click here to see the location on google maps.
History
Batu Caves is said to be around 400 million years old. 
When the caves were in a pristine state before 1860, several of the 18 cave mouths were used by the indigenous Besisi people as transit shelters when they went out hunting. Batu Caves is said to have been discovered by K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian trader, in the 1800s. He was inspired by the shape of the entrance of the main cave and dedicated a temple to Lord Muruga located within the caves. Since 1892, the Thaipusam festival has been celebrated there. Batu Caves is also the centre of rock climbing development in Malaysia for the past 10 years, offering more than 160 climbing routes.
The Festival
Lord Muruga was considered the very manifestation of valour, beauty, youthfulness, vitality, masculinity and the abode of happiness. The festival Thaipusam celebrates the very essence of Lord Murugan and the power of good over evil. From well before sunrise on the first day of the three day long festival, devotees with chests, backs, thighs, foreheads, tongues and cheeks pierced with silver needles or skewers, carrying decorated structures called ‘Kaavadee’, which can weigh up to 100 kgs, make the journey up to the cave temple. Preparations begin long before the day of Thaipusam. Each participant has to physically, mentally and spiritually prepare themselves through a 48day fast - eating only one meal a day (strictly vegetarian), and conducting prayers at home
The Statue
A 42.7m (130 feet) high statue of Lord Muruga was unveiled in January 2006, having taken 3 years to construct. It is the tallest Lord Muruga statue in the world. The statue, which cost approximately 24 million Rupees, is made of 1550 cubic metres of concrete, 250 tonnes of steel bars and 300 litres of gold paint brought in from neighbouring Thailand.