Malaysian Festivals

Deepavali is commonly known as the Festival of Lights or Diwali, a marks the triumph of good over evil, the victory of light over dark.



In anticipation of the celebration, homes as well as their surrounding areas are cleaned from top to bottom; decorative designs such as the kolam are drawn or placed on floors and walls; and the glow of lights, whether emitted from the traditional vilakku (oil lamps fashioned out of clay) or colorful electric bulbs, brighten up the abode of both rich and poor, signaling the coming festivities.



On Deepavali morning, many Hindu devotees awaken before sunrise for the ritual oil bath for a symbolic of affair (to signify purity) while others take full oil baths to remove impurities externally, as well as tone the muscles and nerves to receive positive energies



Then they go to the temples where prayers are held in accordance with the ceremonial rites. Temples are similarly spruced up with flowers and offerings of fruits and coconut milk from devotees, becoming more abundant and pronounced as the big day draws closer.



The rest of the day is taken up by receiving guests, as is customary here in Malaysia. Most devout Hindus tend to be vegetarian, but that doesn't change the fact that Deepavali is the day to savor the many delicious Indian delicacies such as sweetmeats, rice puddings and the ever-popular murukku.