BATHALA CAVES IN MARINDUQUE

Marinduque Bathala Cave Photo from: http://iamnoempty.weebly.com/travel/marinduque-3rd-day-is-spelunking-day

The Bathala caves are said to be mystical and a repository of psychic power emanating from various points of the universe. It is believed that there are seven caves within the complex. Only four of these caves have so far been explored. The first is called the Simbahan owing to the natural rock formation within its church-like interior: Stalagmites forming a rough likeness to an altar, a silhouette of the Madonna and Child, the bell-like stalactites. The second cave, darker and deeper than the Simbahan is occasionally guarded by a python, from the ceiling of which hang hundreds of giant bats. Another cave has an underground river. Inside the fourth cave are human bones, which the people believe to be the remains of World War II soldiers. Read More: http://www.visitmyphilippines.com/index.php?title=Natural&func=all&pid=6682

Photo from: http://philippineislandtours.com/product/marinduque-bathala-cave-exploration/?v=7516fd43adaa

Bathala Caves is said to be a complex consisting of several caves, some of which are yet to be explored. Some of those already explored and named, consist of the following:

Python Cave – a very deep cave , home to hundreds of giant bats and guarded by pythons, hence the name.
Simbahan (Church) Cave – the biggest cave so far. It is called such because it has a church-like interior created by the rock formations.
Secret Cave – Secret Cave got its name from its look – like a secret passage going into somewhere. The rock formations are distinct and impressive. Lots of bats live there too.
Underground cave – which was found to have an underground river.
Cemetery Cave – was discovered to contain buried human remains.
Other unexplored and unnamed caves – Bathala Caves is made of a still unknown number of caves all located in a 19 hectares of land.

Marinduque Bathala Cave 1 Photo from: http://www.wowmarinduque.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Caves-in-mdq.jpg

The Bathala Caves are one of the top attractions of Marinduque. This is privately owned, so a permission is needed from the owners of the property to allow you to access the caves. They usually charge a small fee to be allowed to enter. If it’s your first time to the place, get the help of a guide to assist you as you climb fairly rugged surroundings. There is an additional fee for a guided tour.

The Caves offer an amazing view, especially during sunset and sunrise when the cave lights up entirely, showing off its amazing features. You can be sure whatever you paid for is worth it.

Marinduque Bathala Cave 4 Photo from: www.beachclubcagpo.com