KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — The Deepavali celebration by Malaysian Hindus today started off on a joyous and auspicious note with the faithful offering morning prayers and welcoming family and friends to their homes throughout the country.
At the compound of the Batu Caves temple complex here, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor spent about an hour at the Deepavali open house organised by the MIC which was attended by thousands of people from all walks of life as well as tourists.
Drum beats and trumpet music added to the sense of gaiety in welcoming Najib, who is also Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman, when he arrived at 10.15 am.
On hand to welcome him were MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, his deputy Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and other party leaders.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Malaysia’s Special Envoy to India and South Asia Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and MCA vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai were among the other VIPs who graced the event.
Donning a white “kurta” (traditional Indian shirt), Najib then cut a cake together with the other dignitaries.
Najib and Muhyiddin then attended another Deepavali open house hosted by the Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the HGH Convention Centre in Sentul here.
Meanwhile, a Spanish tourist from Barcelona who only wanted to be known as Raphael, 66, said he was amazed to see various races joining the celebration at the Batu Caves complex.
“This is my first time here and I’m so excited with the colourful celebration as well as the various delicacies on offer. The Indian fare is very nice,” he told Bernama.
Senior citizen, Mary Yim, 68, said she and her husband came there specifically to “soak in the atmosphere” apart from enjoying traditional Indian food which they did not have the opportunity to taste before.
In IPOH, former Perak state executive councillor Datuk G. Rajoo hosted a Deepavali open house at his residence in Taman Lim.
The Perak government will be hosting a Deepavali open house at Dewan Merdeka, Majlis Perbandaran Manjung tomorrow with the attendance expected to exceed 7,000 people.
In MALACCA, Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron attended an open house hosted by the Malacca chapter of the Council of Former Elected Representatives at the home of former state executive councillor Datuk R. Raghavan.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam will hold a Deepavali open house in Ujong Pasir tonight which is also scheduled to be attended by Idris.
Meanwhile, Malacca’s Little India in Jalan Bendahara here was a kaleidoscope of colours which enthralled local and foreigh tourists alike.
In KUCHING, among the temples which were the focus of Hindus living in the state capital were Kuil Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman in Jalan Ban Hock and Kuil Sri Maha Mariamman, Batu Lintang.
According to retiree Muniyandi Naransamy, 60, and Rajelosana Suppaiya, 54, the Deepavali celebration among the small Hindu community in Kuching was no less merry as compared to their peninsular counterpart.
“I used to live and work in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. I dare say the celebration in Kuching is all the more merry because the small Hindu community enables us to forge even closer ties,” said Muniyandi, who worked with an airport handling company before retiring. — Bernama
