Editing Batu Caves (section)

== Religious site ==
[[File:Gombak_Selangor_Batu-Caves-01.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Steps leading to the caves with the Murugan statue in the front]]
The similarity of the entrance to the cave structure to a ''vel'' (a [[spear]]) wielded by the deity Murugan is said to have inspired Thamboosamy to build a temple. The Subramanian Swamy temple is located in the largest cave in the complex.<ref name="Brit"/> Initially, the hill has to be climbed on foot to reach the shrine. In 1920, wooden steps were installed to enable the pilgrims to reach the temple. In the 1930s, the stairs began to show signs of wear and a decision was made to build [[concrete]] steps on the southern side of the cave complex. In 1940, 272 concrete steps were constructed, which exist to date.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/true-or-not/2023/02/03/quickcheck-were-the-272-steps-going-up-batu-caves-originally-made-of-wood|title=Were the 272 steps going up Batu Caves originally made of wood?|work=The Star|date=3 February 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624184822/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/true-or-not/2023/02/03/quickcheck-were-the-272-steps-going-up-batu-caves-originally-made-of-wood|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Tajuddin|first=Iskandar|date=24 January 2016|title=It began with prayer to Lord Muruga|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/01/123704/it-began-prayer-lord-muruga|access-date=5 June 2021|work=New Straits Times|archive-date=5 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605161517/https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/01/123704/it-began-prayer-lord-muruga|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2018, the steps were re-painted with each set of particular number of steps painted in a different color.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/30/steps-of-trouble-for-temple-committee-painting-job-goes-against-heritage-act/|title=Batu Caves temple committee steps into trouble|author=Bavani, M.|date=30 August 2018|work=Star|access-date=31 August 2018|archive-date=11 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211073758/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/30/steps-of-trouble-for-temple-committee-painting-job-goes-against-heritage-act|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-45373172|title=Temple gets stunning paint job|date=31 August 2018|work=[[BBC]]|access-date=31 August 2018|archive-date=12 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612122959/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-45373172|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2024, plans were unveiled to build a multi-purpose hall in the foothills and an [[escalator]] to the temple.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-batu-caves-hindu-temple-escalator-built-2024-thaipusam-4060836|title=Malaysia's Batu Caves temple to get escalator in 2024|work=Channel News|date=19 January 2024|access-date=1 May 2024|archive-date=25 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325101943/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-batu-caves-hindu-temple-escalator-built-2024-thaipusam-4060836|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:20190821_Batu_Caves_temple-1.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|The main shrine]]

At the base of the hill are two caves, Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave, which form the Cave Villa complex. These consist of statues and paintings from [[Hindu mythology]], most of them relating to the life and stories of Murugan.<ref name="Brit"/> The Ramayana Cave is situated to the left, which consists of paintings from the Hindu epic ''[[Ramayana]]''. There is a {{cvt|15|m}} tall statue of [[Hanuman]] at the entrance and a temple dedicated to Hanuman, opened in November 2001.<ref name="Brit"/> 

To the right of the steps which serve as an entrance to the cave complex, a {{cvt|42.7|m}} tall [[Batu Caves Murugan Statue|statue of Murugan]] was unveiled in January 2006. Painted in [[gold]], it is the amongst the tallest Murugan statue in the world and the tallest statue in [[Malaysia]].<ref name="Brit"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/worlds-tallest-lord-murugan-statue-unveiled-in-tamil-nadu-4955624.html|title=World's Tallest Lord Murugan Statue Unveiled in Tamil Nadu|date=8 April 2022|access-date=1 December 2023|work=News18|archive-date=28 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228174717/https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/worlds-tallest-lord-murugan-statue-unveiled-in-tamil-nadu-4955624.html|url-status=live}}</ref>