The Lord Murugan statue at a glance
The Lord Murugan statue stands at the foot of the stairs at Batu Caves, a limestone hill with Hindu shrines in Gombak, Selangor, north of Kuala Lumpur. It is 42.7 m tall and was inaugurated in January 2006. Murugan is the god of the main shrine in the Temple Cave, so the statue and the cave temple belong to the same place of worship.
The word gold describes the colour, not the material. The figure is reinforced concrete finished in gold paint, and the god holds the Vel, his spear, in his hand. The height is the figure to rely on, because rankings of the tallest statues change over time. If you want a guided visit, compare the Batu Caves tours from Kuala Lumpur.
Gold, but painted: what the statue is made of
Short answers to the questions visitors ask most.
Height
The statue is 42.7 m tall. That is the figure to quote, and it needs no ranking next to other statues.
Material
Reinforced concrete with gold-coloured paint. It is not solid gold.
The Vel
Murugan holds the Vel, his spear, in his hand.
Date
The statue was inaugurated in January 2006. The stairs were painted in bright colours in August 2018.
Read about the steps →Our pick: a private cultural tour
A private car brings you to the statue and the caves, with the Ramayana Cave ticket covered.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Batu Caves tours and day trips
Trips from Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves, with live prices and availability.
Where it stands, and why Hanuman is a different statue
The Murugan statue is at the foot of the stairs, so you meet it before the climb to the Temple Cave. It is easy to confuse with the other large figure on the hill. That one is Hanuman, and he has his own green statue at the Ramayana Cave, a separate cave to the left of the main climb.
| Figure | Where | Colour | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lord Murugan | Foot of the stairs | Gold-coloured paint | 42.7 m |
| Hanuman | Entrance of the Ramayana Cave | Green | About 15 m |
For most visitors the Murugan statue is the first stop and the place for a photo before the stairs. Save the Hanuman figure for the Ramayana Cave.
What the statue means
Batu Caves is an active Hindu place of worship, and the main shrine is dedicated to Murugan. The statue marks the entrance to that place. It is not a monument to look at and leave, because people come here to pray and to begin the climb to the shrine.
Murugan is honoured above all at Thaipusam, the Tamil Hindu festival that draws devotees to the hill. If you are visiting around the festival, read the Thaipusam guide first. Keep the entrance clear for people walking in prayer, and take your photos without blocking the way.
Visiting tips for the statue and the stairs
Practical points for 2026.
Entry
The statue, the stairs, the forecourt and the Temple Cave are free to enter in 2026. The Ramayana Cave and Cave Villa charge their own fees.
Fees and dress code →Dress
Cover your shoulders and knees, both men and women. Keep your shoes on for the stairs and take them off at individual shrines.
Time of day
Plan the visit early. Mornings are often clearer, and thunderstorms tend to build in the afternoon. That is a tendency, not a promise of dry steps or small crowds. Opening hours for the different areas vary, so check them before you go.
Opening hours →Monkeys
Long-tailed macaques live around the site and can grab food. Do not feed them, and keep bags closed.
How to fit the statue into your visit
A simple order for the first visit.
1. Start at the statue
It stands at the foot of the stairs, so begin here, early and before the heat builds. Take your photos without blocking the stairs or the way for worshippers.
2. Climb the 272 steps
The stairs lead up to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy temple in the Temple Cave. Go at your own pace and rest at the side, away from people passing.
3. Visit the Temple Cave
Entry is free in 2026. Cover your shoulders and knees, and treat the shrine of Murugan as a place of prayer.
4. Add the side caves
The Ramayana Cave, with its green Hanuman statue, and Cave Villa have separate fees and their own hours.
Getting to the statue from Kuala Lumpur
Batu Caves is about 13 km north of the centre of Kuala Lumpur, in Gombak in Selangor, so it is a short trip out of the city. The KTM Komuter line runs from KL Sentral to Batu Caves, the last stop on that line. In a sample weekday timetable the ride takes 29 minutes.
A taxi or ride-hailing car from central Kuala Lumpur costs roughly RM 25 to RM 35 and takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on where you start and how heavy the traffic is. The getting there guide covers the train, the car and parking.
Continue your visit
More about the hill beyond the statue.
Lord Murugan statue: frequently asked questions
How tall is the Murugan statue at Batu Caves?
The statue is 42.7 m tall. It was inaugurated in January 2006.
Is the statue made of solid gold?
No. It is reinforced concrete finished in gold-coloured paint. The gold is the colour of the surface.
Is it the tallest Murugan statue in the world?
Rankings change when new statues are built, so the fact to rely on is the height: 42.7 m. The statue was inaugurated in January 2006.
Is the green statue Murugan too?
No. The green figure at the Ramayana Cave is Hanuman, about 15 m tall. The large gold-coloured figure at the foot of the stairs is Murugan.
Do I need a ticket to see the statue?
No ticket is needed for the statue, the stairs or the Temple Cave in 2026. Only the side caves charge a fee.
How many steps lead up from the statue?
272 steps lead to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy temple. Take water, go early and rest on the way.