Deepavali will be celebrated tomorrow by Hindus across the country. — Bernama pic
First Published: Saturday, 07 Nov 2026 9:00 PM MYT
JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 7 — Deepavali celebrations are not just about wearing new attire and preparing an array of traditional delicacies, but also about strengthening family bonds and preserving age-old traditions passed down through generations.
For Singaporean P. Parvathy, 65, from Sengkang, a visit to Johor Bahru to shop for Deepavali essentials has become an annual tradition, while also giving her the opportunity to meet relatives living in the state.
She said her visit to the Deepavali Bazaar at Jalan Ungku Puan here also allowed her to browse a variety of decorative items for the home, including floral ornaments to hang at the entrance, traditional attire and bangles.
“I came to buy flowers to hang at the door. After this, I also want to buy clothes and bangles. This year, I find that the items on sale are even more beautiful than before,” she told Bernama recently.
Sharing how Deepavali is celebrated in Singapore, Parvathy said preparations at her home begin on the eve of the festival, with various delicacies prepared to be enjoyed with family members and guests.
She said that on Deepavali morning, the entire family would wake up as early as 5am to bathe, perform prayers and enjoy a traditional breakfast such as thosai before welcoming visits from relatives and friends.
She said the practice of gathering and sharing meals remained one of the traditions that continued to add to the festive atmosphere of her family’s Deepavali celebrations each year.
Little India in Brickfields bustles with activity as shoppers make a last-minute dash for Deepavali essentials. — Bernama pic
Meanwhile, for housewife K. Kalaivani, 40, from Pasir Gudang, this year’s Deepavali holds special significance as her family will also be holding a religious ceremony to mark her daughter’s coming of age.
The mother of four said that apart from preparing traditional attire, including saris, for her family members, she had also bought flowers for the religious ceremony and several other necessities.
She said the preparations were not only for the Deepavali celebrations but also to mark a meaningful occasion for her family in conjunction with her daughter’s religious ceremony.
Meanwhile, traditional snack seller Renuka, 34, who wished to be identified only by her first name, is offering more than 50 varieties of biscuits and savoury snacks in conjunction with Deepavali, giving the Indian community a wide selection to complete their festive spread.
She said sales, which began more than 15 days before Deepavali, allowed customers to choose from a variety of snacks to serve to family members, relatives and guests visiting their homes.
Among the items available are tarts, suji and murukku, priced from RM35 per jar, while customers can purchase four jars at a promotional price of RM120.
She said the variety of snacks also complemented the tradition of visiting family and friends, which adds to the festive atmosphere of Deepavali celebrations each year.
Deepavali, also known as the Festival of Lights, will be celebrated tomorrow by Hindus across the country. — Bernama