KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — Temples across the country glowed with lamps and chants early this morning as Hindus nationwide ushered in Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, with prayers, rituals and gatherings that celebrated faith, family and the triumph of good over evil.
The joyous occasion was marked by homes adorned with colourful kolams and flickering oil lamps, as Malaysians of all backgrounds joined in the festive cheer, a reflection of the nation’s unity in diversity.
A Bernama visit to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves found thousands of devotees gathering as early as 6am to perform prayers, bringing offerings of fruits and flowers to the deities in a gesture of thanksgiving.
For devotee K. Monissha, 26, from Subang Jaya, this year’s Deepavali holds special meaning as it is her first celebration with her husband after getting married last December.
“I usually come to this temple during Thaipusam, but this year we chose to come for Deepavali as well because the atmosphere is livelier, and more family members can join. This is my first Deepavali as a wife,” she said, accompanied by 10 family members.
Monissha, a procurement executive, said that according to Indian tradition, the first Deepavali after marriage is celebrated at the bride’s family home, complete with festive dishes, the giving of saris and cash gifts to family members.
Another devotee, M. Mathesha, 26, a human resource executive from Selayang, expressed her gratitude for being able to celebrate Deepavali with all her siblings this year after several years of being tied down by work commitments.
“This year, all five of us siblings managed to gather. After prayers, we’ll have a meal together. Last night we cooked mutton curry, chicken sambal and fried rice. I hope this Deepavali brings blessings and strengthens our family bond,” she said.
Besides local Hindu devotees, foreign tourists also took the opportunity to witness the festive atmosphere at the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple, which was packed with thousands of worshippers from early morning.
Indonesian tourist Natasya Praskila, 22, from Medan, said this was her first time experiencing the Festival of Lights in Malaysia. She chose Batu Caves after discovering it online, and was amazed by the colourful stalls selling sweets, flowers and cultural performances.
In Kedah, private sector employee S. Hemananthini, 32, was up as early as 6am to prepare special dishes before heading to the Sri Siva Muniswarar Alayam Temple in Kulim to perform her prayers.
“After prayers, my family and I have breakfast together. Usually, I’ll spend the morning with my family first, and friends will visit in the afternoon,” she said.
For N. Darsyini, 41, met at the Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Temple in Alor Setar, this year’s Deepavali celebration was extra special as her four siblings, who live outside Kedah, returned to celebrate the festival at her home in Taman Bersatu instead of their hometown in Negeri Sembilan.
Meanwhile, in Selangor, accountant R. Visalini, 26, said she hopes this year’s Festival of Lights brings happiness to all devotees, as she looks forward to enjoying her mother’s cooking and visiting family members.
“For Deepavali, we usually have tosai, idiyappam, and idli served with chicken and mutton curry, and there are also sweets like laddu,” she said.
In Kelantan, although Hindus form a minority in the state, the celebration was still filled with joy.
For R. Sriraam, 22, a Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) student from Batu Kawan, Penang, celebrating Deepavali for the first time in Kelantan was a meaningful experience.
“I’m grateful to celebrate Deepavali with my mother, P. Meenachee, 52, and father, C. Ramayah, 57, who travelled from Penang yesterday. We began the day with an oil bath at 6.30am before heading to the temple for prayers,” he said when met at the Arulmigu Subramaniyar Alayam Temple in Kota Bharu.
M. Kanikum, 79, from Wakaf Bharu in Tumpat, meanwhile, was delighted to have all her children and grandchildren home for the celebration, as well as to receive guests of various races.
In Terengganu, despite the Indian community being a minority, the festive spirit was still felt, with the Sri Kailasa Nathar Alayam Temple in Kuala Terengganu serving as the main venue for religious rituals.
In Negeri Sembilan, the state’s oldest temple, Sri Bala Thandayuthapani Temple on Jalan Yam Tuan, Seremban, drew about 5,000 Hindu devotees from as early as 7am.
In Perlis, treasurer of the Arulmigu Arumugaswamy Dhevasthanam Temple in Kangar, M. Ashok Kumar, said the temple also provided meals for devotees attending prayers today.
In Johor, the 114-year-old Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam Temple drew about 3,000 Hindu devotees as early as 6 am. The celebration also attracted foreign tourists eager to witness the vibrant festivities and experience the customs and culture of the Indian community.
Meanwhile, in Pahang, the atmosphere at the Sri Mariamman Temple in Kuantan was lively with devotees performing prayers, while in Melaka, hundreds of Hindu devotees thronged the Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple in Bukit Beruang from as early as 7am.
In Perak, an estimated 10,000 devotees visited the Kallumalai Arulmigu Subramaniar Temple at Gunung Cheroh, Ipoh, from as early as 6 am to perform religious rites. The celebration also drew foreign tourists and people of other races keen to experience the joyous Deepavali atmosphere.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, in a Facebook post, expressed hope that the Deepavali celebration would bring light, happiness, love and peace to all who celebrate it.
In Penang, the early morning rain did not dampen the spirit of Hindu devotees, who flocked to the Muniswarar Temple along Jalan Baru in Perai and the Arulmigu Karumariamman Temple in Seberang Jaya on the mainland for prayers.
Checks by Bernama found the temples vibrant with colour as families dressed in traditional Indian attire and carrying flowers, milk and trays of offerings as a gesture of gratitude in conjunction with the Festival of Lights.
L. Govind Raj, 33, said Deepavali was the perfect time to strengthen family ties and uphold age-old traditions, adding that this year’s celebration was especially meaningful as all four of his siblings returned home for the festival.
“This year, I got a longer holiday and the children have extra school break, so we get to spend more time together. My mother is the happiest because all her children, in-laws and grandchildren are home for Deepavali.
“Besides visiting relatives, we also welcome friends and neighbours of different faiths. That’s the beauty of Malaysia. This spirit of togetherness is what unites us,” he said, adding that traditional treats such as muruku, laddu and chicken curry were prepared for guests.
In Sabah, about 1,000 devotees attended prayers at the Sri Pasupathinath Alayam Temple in Kota Kinabalu from as early as 8am.
Temple president Datuk Dr K. Mathavan said the celebration was even more festive this year with the presence of the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Musa Aman, reflecting the spirit of unity among Malaysia’s multiracial community. — Bernama