How to Ascend over 20 Stories at Batu Caves?

After breakfast at the hotel, Don and I went to the Batu Caves, a major Hindu religious site just outside the northern edge of Kuala Lumpur, by taxi. As a religious site, decorum is required, including for women, no bare shoulders, cleavage, midriffs, or knees, and reverence in approaching the altars. We arrived early about 8 a.m., to avoid the large crowds of people, who show up later throughout the day, and to have the stairs in shade for cooler, stair climbing conditions, while the sun remained hidden behind the mountain.

The steps did not pose a problem for either Don or me. I just took my time, while Don was busy taking pictures, so we made it to the top at about the same time. The stair risers were colorfully painted in variegated, color tone patterns and included landings every 14-20 steps, which allowed rest breaks but no places to sit. I continued at my own pace and arrived safely at the top under my own power. ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) bureaucrats and zealots would have a fit with the lack of elevators or ramps to allow full public access, but that is a dilemma only for us in the USA and other developed nations. In my own opinion, the construction of an elevator would only spoil the place. It remains, after all, a holy site and part of the pilgrimage includes the penitent ascending the steps.

Once inside the caves, there were several shrines. We had to remove our shoes to go into several areas. Several monks and other worshippers were actively attending to their Hindu worship in this very interesting place, which included natural openings in the top of the cave to reveal the cloudy skies and the encroaching jungle. Once inside, more stairs! Short sets moved worshippers both up and down to different shrines on multiple levels. We walked to all that we could visit by the steps and avoided creating disruptions to the faithful believers. We then had to descend the long stairway!