KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 – The joy of the “Festival of Light” being celebrated by Malaysians of the Hindu faith nationwide today is shared together with fellow Malaysians who visit them at their Deepavali Open House. Filled with the spirit of goodwill and harmony, they wish “Happy Deepavali” to their relatives, friends and acquaintances, including in the social media like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
National prosperity and the uniqueness of each race in the country also enable them to enjoy the traditional spread of delicacies of the Indian community who held open houses in their homes or those being organised by political parties, organisations and corporate companies all over the place.
In the national capital, celebration on the grounds of the famous tourist site, Batu Caves here, was among the main events today with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor joining thousands of visitors from diverse racial backgrounds at the Deepavali open house, organised by MIC, People’s Progressive Party and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The favourable weather in most states in the morning and smooth traffic flow has also allowed many people to come out and attend the open house. In SELANGOR, a check by Bernama revealed that the Indians started to visit temples around the city for religious ceremonies since early this morning and later visited the homes of their relatives and friends. Selangor state government exco member, V. Ganabatirau also held his open house at his residence in Section 7, Shah Alam.
Several tourist areas, among them, Little India, Klang were lively and decked with colourful Deepavali decorations. People from diverse racial backgrounds also took advantage of the good weather to go for outings with their families and friends at interesting places in and around Shah Alam and Klang Valley. In IPOH, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his wife Datin Seri Saripah Zulkifli visited the home of R. Shanmugam, 69, in Buntong, here to hand over a land grant to build a new house.
Shanmugam and his wife, S. Neela are currently staying in a dilapidated house in Buntong since 25 years ago. Zambry and his entourage joined Shanmugam, his wife and family for a simple Deepavali celebration and later attended the open house of former Perak MIC chairman Datuk G. Rajoo at his residence.
In ALOR SETAR, Deepavali was celebrated on a moderate scale with Hindus visiting the temples here from as early as 8 am for prayers. The people in the state will celebrate the Malaysia Deepavali 2015 open house in Kulim tomorrow night, with the Prime Minister expected to officiate the event.
In PENANG, the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani temple at the foothill in Jalan Kebun Bunga, here is among the focus for those of the Hindu faith to pray before paying a visit to their relatives and friends. Some of them climbed the 513 steps to pray in the temple atop the hill while others merely prayed and took pictures for remembrance at the foothill.
In SARAWAK, several temples in Kuching city, among them, Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman temple, Jalan Ban Hock and Sri Maha Mariamman temple, Batu Lintang became the focus of the Hindus. Deepavali is not a public holiday in the state but it was not a hindrance for those of the Hindu faith to celebrate the festival.
In KUALA TERENGGANU, although the Indian community is a minority in the state, Deepavali is celebrated without fail. State MIC chairman Dr Dayal Krishnan said prayer rituals were held at the Sri Kali Yuga Durga Lakshmi Amman Temple, Jalan Cherong Lanjut.
In KOTA BAHARU, about 7,000 Indians celebrated Deepavali in a harmonious environment with most staying in Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah and Kota Baharu. Kelantan MIC chief M. Kuppusamy said the Deepavali celebration started with an oil bath and a visit to the temple.
In MELAKA, State MIC chairman and State Executive Councillor (Exco), Datuk M.S. Mahadevan hosted an open house at his home in Batu Berendam here. The people of Melaka took advantage of the fine weather to fete Deepavali by going to the temple before visiting the homes of relatives and friends.
Meanwhile, several tourism areas in Melaka, especially in Bandar Hilir and Air Keroh were the focus of many domestic and foreign tourists while Melaka’s Little India in Jalan Bendahara was merry with colourful decorations which attracted the attention of revellers.
In NEGERI SEMBILAN, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan was among 200 guests who attended an open house by former national MIC Information chief Datuk V. S. Mogan in Taman Rantau, Rantau, Seremban, today. State MIC chief, Datuk L. Manickam, who is also state exco, also held an open house in the compound of the Jeram Padang Barisan Nasional (BN) Service Centre, Jeram Padang in Taman Saujana, Rompin, Bahau.
In KOTA KINABALU, the Deepavali open house taking place at the Likas Sport Complex Multi Purpose Hall here, was lively with numerous cultural events of the plural society in the country, specifically the customs and culture of the Indian community. Thousands of people of various ages were present at the event organised by the Sabah MIC Liaison Committee with the aim of fostering unity and understanding among the plural society in the country.
Also present at the ceremony was Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife Toh Puan Norlidah R M Jasni, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and federal Cabinet ministers including Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak, state Cabinet ministers and community leaders.
Numerous cultural performances enlivened the celebration including the Indian Barathanatiyam classical dance, dance to receive guests, 1Malaysia dance, Nagasyuram and Kaliyana Molam performances by students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Gema Tari Sabah. There are about 15,000 Indians in Sabah.
