Today is Deepavali, an important festival for Hindus, and Brickfields, "Little India" in Kuala Lumpur, is ushering in a festive moment of prayer and reunion. Believers go to temples to pray for blessings, and their piety is palpable. Through customs such as oil bathing, changing into new clothes, and sharing candies, they welcome the festival that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, and share the joy with relatives and friends.
The 2026 Malaysian Deepavali celebration will be held on the 14th in Little India, Brickfields, and is expected to attract about 5,000 people. Traditional Indian dances, cultural performances, martial arts displays and singer performances will be arranged to showcase the multicultural characteristics of Malaysia.
Deepavali, also known as Diwali, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. There are different legends about the origin of the festival. One of the myths comes from the Indian epic "Ramayana", which tells that Prince Rama's wife Sita was kidnapped by Ravana and taken to the legendary In the Kingdom of Lanka (now Sri Lanka), the monkey god Hanuman assisted Rama in crossing the sea to rescue his wife. After Rama and Hanuman's army joined forces to kill Ravana, he returned to Ayodhya in the north and became king.
Many Hindu families take an oil bath early in the morning to symbolize purification of the body and mind, then put on new clothes, pray, and reunite with relatives and friends. Families will also light oil lamps to express their hope for light and a better life.
Brickfields, located near Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station, is a neighborhood where the Indian community gathers. Indian restaurants, traditional clothing, gold jewelry merchants and flower garland stalls can be seen along the street. During the festival, kolam or rangoli decorations are often seen at the entrances of shopping malls and buildings. Rice grains, rice noodles and other materials are arranged with flowers, peacocks or geometric patterns. The colorful colors add to the festive atmosphere.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also posted a message on social media Facebook to wish Happy Deepavali. He said that Deepavali brings the light of joy and promotes the spirit of the "Festival of Lights", which symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and the power of knowledge to free people from the bondage of ignorance and arrogance.
Anwar said that in a pluralistic society based on multiculturalism and tradition, the value of mutual respect, understanding and acceptance of differences should continue to be strengthened, so that this festival can become an opportunity to unite, bring ethnic groups closer together, cultivate a spirit of charity, and care for groups in need. He hopes that this year's Deepavali will inject new spirit and cultivate more open, pure and progressive thinking, thereby enhancing people's dignity and consolidating national harmony.
Aravinth, a Hindu, was interviewed by Central News Agency in front of an Indian temple today and said that Deepavali means gathering, and everyone is scattered due to work and other factors; Deepavali is a day to gather with family, friends and parents.
Aravind continued, "Actually, grandma and grandpa will wake everyone up early in the morning on Deepavali. Then we will take an oil bath and pray. Then they will give us new clothes, firecrackers and sweets. Then they will set off firecrackers, eat sweets, and distribute sweets to relatives and friends. This is 'our happiness'."
He pointed out that Diwali is about happiness, and being able to reunite with friends, colleagues and family members and showing strong unity is a kind of happiness. "Diwali means happiness to us."
Aravind said: "After the family worships at the temple, we will probably play firecrackers with the children. If possible, we will also go to the movies with the family and enjoy delicious food at home."
In addition, officials including Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Higher Education Zambry bin Abdul Kadir, and Deputy Minister of Communications Teo Nie Ching also sent blessings, calling on the public to cherish family ties, enhance neighborly friendship, and care for groups in need. They also reminded people returning home and traveling to drive carefully to share the festival of peace and unity.
