How to Reach Batu Caves
By Train
If you are departing from KL Sentral, buy KTM Komuter tickets heading to Sentul.
Upon reaching Sentul railway station, special Thaipusam trains depart every 30 minutes to Batu Caves.
If you are not departing from KL Sentral, you can still buy tickets to the Sentul railway station.
However, remember that you need to alight at interchange stations depending on which line you are on when you board the train.
Boarding from Pelabuhan Klang line for instance goes straight towards Sentul.
Boarding from Seremban line you can alight at KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, Bank Negara and Putra to board the train going towards Sentul.
If you are arriving from Rawang line, you will need to interchange in Putra towards the Sentul line.
Train + Bus
Take LRT Putra from KL Sentral to Sentul station.
Please alight the train at Masjid Jamek and exit the station to board the Ampang Line towards Sentul.
Tickets are to be purchased separately upon arrival at the interchange station.
Cost of tickets:
KL Sentral -> Masjid Jamek : RM 1.30
Masjid Jamek Interchange -> Sentul: RM 1.40
Total: RM 2.70
Estimated Time Taken: 19 mins and 23 secs (May vary depending on passenger load factor)
Once reaching Titiwangsa station, you may take U10 RapidKL bus heading towards Batu Caves.
Bus
Metrobus Nationwide buses travel to Batu Caves.
You may board bus number 11 departing from Central Market (Kota Raya) to Batu Caves.
Thaipusam Updates (30.01.2010)
One Million Visitors in Batu Caves!
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Some one million Hindu devotees and tourists thronged the Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple in Batu Caves here in conjunction with the Thaipusam festival to commemorate the birth of Lord Murugan.
Despite the hot and humid weather since morning, Batu Caves was filled with merriment, with some 10,000 devotees carrying kavadis and palkudams (milk pots), breaking coconuts and shaving their heads.
The temple's committee member V. Krishnamoorthi said the festival this year was merrier with 10,000 devotees fulfilling their vows, while tourists were also able to see changes around the temple.
"There are indeed many changes in the festival this time around... buildings and halls are now with a new coat of paint, there is also a new pedestrian walkway while a small hall has also been built for the devotees to fulfil their vows by shaving their heads," he said.
Unlike last year when there was traffic congestion, the traffic was well-organised this time around.
-- MORE
THAIPUSAM-ROUNDUP 2 KUALA LUMPUR
Several tourists described the festival as amazing and something very different from their own cultures.
"This is a very exciting celebration, and I'm impressed," Australian tourist James Tucker, 45, said.
Thaipusam is one of the festivals celebrated by Malaysian Hindus during the full moon in the month of "Thai" in the Tamil Calendar, which usually falls between January and early February.
Legend has it that Thaipusam began when the goddess Parvathi, Murugan's mother, gave him a bow and arrow to destroy an evil force known as Soorapadman.
Murugan's success in restoring prosperity and the well-being of the people, had become an occasion for Hindus to celebrate and observe Thaipusam.
In IPOH, some 10,000 Hindu devotees thronged the Arul Subramaniar Temple located near the Gunung Cheroh limestone here since yesterday evening.
-- MORE
THAIPUSAM-ROUNDUP 3 KUALA LUMPUR
The temple compound was a burst of colours with various activities and rituals being carried out including a chariot procession from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Sungai Pari.
Several roads in the city were chocked with cars as roads leading to Subramaniar Temple were closed since yesterday evening until midnight tonight.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir was scheduled to meet the devotees at the temple at about 6.30pm today.
In PENANG, more than 90,000 Hindu devotees converged at Hindu temples in Jalan Kebun Bunga to fulfil their vows during the annual Thaipusam festival.
Penang Hindu Endowments Board vice chairman R.S.N Rayer said more than 200 Hindu devotees carried the kavadis and the palkudams and took part in the coconut breaking ritual.
-- MORE
THAIPUSAM-ROUNDUP 4 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
"This year's Thaipusam falls on a weekend, thus making the festival even more merrier as more people are able to visit the temple," he said.
He said there were 137 "Thannir Panthal" (stalls serving free food and drinks) set up along the road heading to Jalan Kebun Bunga.
A tourist from Ireland, known only as Keith, 31, said this was his first Thaipusam experience although he had visited Penang several times.
"I was amazed to see how Thaipusam is celebrated here with huge kavadis decorated with flowers and peacock feathers," he told Bernama.
-- BERNAMA
GG HTS TAS KTK NAK JS
Najib Tun Razak: Happy Thaipusam!
Prime Minister wishes Indians Happy Thaipusam!
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Friday wished the Malaysian Indian community a very happy Thaipusam and said that he was looking forward to join the festivities.
Conveying his Thaipusam message on his www.1Malaysia.com.my, Najib said for the curious-minded, it was a thrilling opportunity to learn about another culture and religious belief, and in doing so learn something about themselves.
For all Malaysians, he said, it was another chance to exhibit their appreciation for the cultural wealth Malaysia had long enjoyed as a nation, in the spirit of 1Malaysia.
"I hope that all witnessing this spectacular event will enjoy its colours and sounds in a grand demonstration of harmony and unity.
I wish everyone a very Happy Thaipusam!," he said.
Tonight, thousands of Malaysian Indians, Malaysians of other races and faiths and foreign tourists will be descending on Batu Caves here, the streets of Penang and filling temples across the nation in celebration of the Hindu festival.
This is the first time the prime minister will be joining the festivities at Batu Caves.
-- BERNAMA
Chariot from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple reaches Batu Caves
KUALA LUMPUR: Over 150,000 Hindu devotees participated in a chariot procession from last night marking the start of this year's Thaipusam festival.
The procession, which started at midnight from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun H.S Lee, arrived at the compound of Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple in Batu Caves this evening.
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple committee member V. Krishnamoorthi said there was a delay in the procession as they had to stop for the "Archanai" ritual along the way.
The procession passed through main roads in the capital city namely Jalan Lebuh Ampang, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Ipoh, Jalan Rawang, Selayang and Taman Wilayah before arriving in Batu Caves at 2.30pm.
Apart from the silver chariot carrying Lord Murugan, the procession was also participated by Hindu devotees carrying various types of kavadi and palkoodam (milk pots) and breaking coconuts along the route.
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple committee chairman Datuk R. Nadarajah said he was happy with the presence of many devotees and tourists this time around.
He said the number of devotees and visitors this year was expected to be higher due to the presence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Batu Caves tonight.
Meanwhile in Penang, tens of thousands of Hindu devotees and foreign tourists are expected to throng Jalan Utama and Jalan Kebun Bunga here tomorrow for the Thaipusam festival.
Penang Hindu Endowments Board vice-chairman R.S.N Rayer told Bernama this year a total of 137 "Thannir Panthal" (stalls serving free food and drinks) had been erected along the route of the chariot procession.
"The procession will cover a 10km route and pass through Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Victoria, Jalan Megazine, Jalan Dato Kramat and Jalan Utama before arriving at the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga about 9pm tonight," he said. - BERNAMA
Crowd seeing flocking Batu Caves
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- Hundreds of Hindu devotees and tourists have begun flocking to Sri Subramaniyar Swami temple in Batu Caves for the Thaipusam celebration.
Children with clean shaven heads can be seen carrying the "kavadi" and "pal kudam" (milk pot) before climbing 272 steps to fulfil their vows to avoid the Thaipusam crowd on Saturday.
K.Kavitha, 34, who was carrying the 'pal kudam' said it took her a longer time to reach the top as she had to use the high overhead bridge.
A. Sri Saravanan, 10, who was carrying the 'kavadi' for the fifth time said his feet hurt as it was a long climb up the bridge before reaching the temple.
A Bernama survey found that people have started to occupy the temple compound which is littered with stalls ready for business.
Police personnel were also at hand to maintain security.
Tourists Sarah Tomlinson, 25, and Tom Fletcher, 26, from England said he decided to visit the temple after reading an article in a newspaper.
"We feel so amazing just looking at the huge statue. This is totally a different environment, a far cry from our customs and traditions," said Tomlinson who hoped to return to the temple on Saturday.
More than 1.5 million visitors are expected to converge on the temple for Thaipusam celebration.
The procession of Lord Murugan from Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee to Batu Caves will start at midnight and reach Batu Caves at 11am tomorrow.
Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) has supplied 18,000 litres of water for the 'Free Mooru' feast to devotees visiting the temple.
Bernama - 1.5 Million Visitors to Flock Batu Caves
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- The Thaipusam festival will see over 1.5 million visitors, including foreign tourists, flocking to the Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple in Batu Caves next Saturday.
Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Temple chairman Datuk R. Nadarajah attributed the expected mammoth crowd to the festival falling on a weekend, followed by Federal Territories Day on Monday.
"Thus, the celebration would be merrier with local and foreign tourists visiting the temple," he told a press conference here Friday.
He said, over 10,000 Hindu devotees would throng the main streets in the city, carrying kavadis, milk pots and breaking coconuts, as a form of penance during the celebration.
The Lord Murugan's silver chariot procession was expected to begin from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple at 12.30am and arrive at Batu Caves about 11am on Saturday, added Nadarajah.
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai (between January and February) to commemorates the birthday of Lord Murugan, the youngest son of God Shiva and his wife Parvati.
-- BERNAMA
Visit Penang for Thaipusam 2010
Penang is a prime resort island in Malaysia with a rich cultural and historic heritage. UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has recently awarded it a World Heritage Site status...
Head to Penang next week to witness one of the most colourful and spectacular cultural events in the world.
January 29 and 30 thousands of devotees will celebrate the Hindu festival of Thaipusam and a great many tourists will come to witness the event or even to participate.
It is one of the most popular event celebrated on Penang island as devotees smash not only a few gunny sacks of coconuts but do it in hundreds of thousands during the the three-day festival.
They believe in doing so that they cleanse the streets for the spiritual journey of Lord Muruga, who travels in a bull-cart chariot from the inner-city of George Town to the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple atop the hill of Waterfall Road.
Tourists Welcome
Tourists are always present to have a great time and to help smash the coconuts which are placed along the roads, normally days in advance of the pilgrimage by the devotees, especially the Chinese community.
Visitors should not be alarmed to see devotees go through a physical endurance of being skewered and pierced on the back and front of their bodies by hooks with miniature urns as an act of penance.
The majority of the devotees who go through this act are Indians but also Chinese, and other visitors can also be seen taking part in this act of faith which leaves many devotees and observers alike, spiritually transformed.
This annual festival, which is also celebrated in Kuala Lumpur's famous Batu Caves, is indeed an out-of-this-world experience and not to be missed.
Celebrated at a grand scale in Penang, it is also a public holiday for Selangor and Wilayah Perseketuan.
Government urged to make Thaipusam National Festival
Kuala Lumpur, Jan 25: The Malaysian Government has been urged to recognise Thaipusam as a national festival and to make it a public holiday in the peninsula.
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Malay Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February).
Sri Maha Mariamman Devastha-nam chairman R. Nadarajah said that so far, Selangor, Perak, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Negri Sembilan enjoy a holiday for Thaipusam.
He urged other states to be given a similar holiday due to the large number of Hindu devotees and foreign tourists who visited temples, especially those located in the Batu Caves.
Nadarajah further said that the setting up of a cable car system from the base of the caves to the top of the temple has been approved, and it could be operational by 2012.
The temple at Batu Caves often attracts over one million devotees and tens of thousands of tourists. The procession to the caves starts at the Sri Mariamman Temple and proceeds to the caves, an 8-hour journey culminating in a flight of 272 steps to the top.
Extra Commuter Services for Thaipusam 2010
Extra commuter services for Thaipusam
KUALA LUMPUR: The much-awaited Sentul-Batu Caves Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) commuter line, supposed to be operational by Thaipusam, will only start in April.
The service will begin in April because the final stage of work on it is still being carried out, said Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) acting general manager Mohd Hidir Yusoff.
For the Thaipusam celebration in Batu Caves on Saturday, KTMB will provide 208 special train services and 72 additional KTM Komuter trains from Friday to Sunday.
The two-way special train services will be available from Batu Caves and Sentul with 30-minute frequency.
KTMB has also planned for 208 train services this time compared to only 98 last year, as more visitors are expected in views of the celebration falling on a weekend followed by a public holiday on Monday, Mohd Hidir said.
It is hoped that the additional train services will help reduce traffic congestion in the city.
From Friday to Sunday, 72 additional KTM Komuter services will be available around the clock for the Rawang-KL Sentral-Rawang, Seremban-Sentul-Seremban and Port Klang-Sentul-Port Klang lines.
Usually the services end at midnight, but for Thaipusam, commuter services will be extended until 6am with 72 additional services at a 30-minute frequency, said Mohd Hidir.
Over 1.5 million local and foreign visitors are expected to throng the Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple in Batu Caves for the celebration. -- Bernama
Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to visit Batu Caves
Najib To Make Historic Visit To Batu Caves On Thaipusam Eve
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will make an historic visit to Batu Caves on the eve of Thaipusam, which falls on Saturday.
A spokesman of the Prime Minister's office confirmed that Najib would be at the Batu Caves temple, where more than one million Hindus would converge for Thaipusam, on Friday night.
The visit will make Najib only the second prime minister in the country's history to visit the Hindu holy site since the nation gained independence more than 50 years ago.
Najib's father, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein was the first premier to grace the occasion during his tenure as the nation's second prime minister more than 30 years ago.
However, it is unclear if Najib will deliver a speech at the event.
Since taking over as prime minister nearly a year ago, Najib had made it a point to win the hearts and the minds of the 1.8 million Malaysian Indian population, many of whom are believed to have switched allegiance in the 2008 general election after backing the ruling coalition since the nation's independence.
The Thaipusam festival commemorates the birthday of Lord Murugan, the youngest son of Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Lord Murugan a vel (spear) so that he could vanquish the evil demon, Soorapadman.
Najib's visit to Batu Caves also comes on the heels of the prime minister's visit to Tamil Nadu, the heartland of Malaysian Tamils, about a week ago.
The Tamil Nadu visit also ensured that Najib's name was inked in the history books as being the first Malaysian prime minister to visit the Indian state.
Tamils form 80 per cent of the Malaysian Indian population.
Rapid Penang Thaipusam Routes
Rapid Penang's Special Thaipusam Shuttle Bus Service
PENANG, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Rapid Penang Sdn Bhd will provide a special shuttle bus service on three routes here on Friday and Saturday in view of the Thaipusam festival, the company's senior manager (operations) Azam Omar said Wednesday.
He said the company would put 14 buses on the routes -- Weld Quay to Jalan Kelawei; Kampung Binjai in Bayan Lepas to Jalan Brooke and Paya Terubong to Jalan Brooke.
On Friday, the special bus service would be available between noon and 2am and on Thaipusam Day on Saturday, between 5am and midnight, he told reporters.
Azam said the fare would be between RM2 and RM4 (adults) and RM1 and RM2(children).
He said the frequency of the service would be 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the traffic situation.
He also said that Rapid Penang was distributing 2,000 free one-way bus tickets to people who want to visit the company's "Thaneer Panthal" (free drinks stall for the Thaipusam) in Jalan Western.
-- BERNAMA
