Embrace Deepavali, a festival of light. Join the celebration!

As a multicultural country, Malaysia has many events, including from different religions or ethnicities. One of the most celebrated religious events in Malaysia is Deepavali or Diwali, which is a Hindu religious event. As the 4th largest religion in Malaysia with 6% of the total population, this event has a festive euphoria every year. In fact, this Hindu religious event is made a national holiday, so that everyone can enjoy Diwali together.

Want to know the complete information about how Deepavali is celebrated in Malaysia and what you can do when you visit Malaysia on this day of celebration? Check out the full information below!

Deepavali celebrated by Hindus originated in North India. This holy day of celebration means Lamp of "Deepa" and the row of "Avali", which together means "row of lights" in Sanskrit.

The meaning of the name is related to its history, which is to celebrate the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after the battle against the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya then celebrated this by lighting oil lamps, creating a path of light for his return. This tradition of lighting lamps symbolizes the victory of good over evil and the inner spiritual awakening.

This is different from the historical stories circulating in South India. Diwali is said to be a day to commemorate Lord Krishna killing the demon Narakasura who had caused chaos and mischief. As the demon represented the darkness, its death symbolized the light that took away the darkness from the world.

In India, Diwali is a Hindu religious holy day celebrated every year. This day celebrates the victory and success of Hindus in fighting darkness. So, every year, this holy day is celebrated with a festival of lights, lanterns, candles, and festive decorations to celebrate the victory.

Moreover, in some parts of India, Deepavali marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and is celebrated as a harvest festival. It is a time for farmers to express gratitude for the abundant harvest and seek blessings for a prosperous agricultural year ahead.

Then, why is Deepavali also celebrated in Malaysia and what is the history of Deepavali in Malaysia? As a country with a high Indian community that dates back to the British colonization, there are many Hindus. This makes Deepavali celebrated by many people to commemorate the day and not forget the culture of their home country. Over time, Indians living in Malaysia also celebrate this day adapted to Malaysian culture.

So, how is Deepavali important to Malaysia? Until now, Deepavali is celebrated by many people in Malaysia, making this day a national holiday that can be used to gather with family, eat together, and return to holiness. People will go to Hindu temples to pray and hope for a life full of light ahead.

Malaysia has made Diwali a national holiday. However, the date of Deepavali varies from year to year as it follows the Hindu lunar calendar. Usually, the day of celebration falls in October and November.

Traditionally, Deepavali is celebrated on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartika, known as "Amavasya." This day marks the new moon and is considered the darkest day of the month. In 2023, Deepavali Day falls on Friday, November 10, 2023.

How long is Deepavali holiday in Malaysia? The holiday lasts for one day, with the main celebration occurring on the day of Amavasya. Hindu people and communities will usually celebrate this day with various activities such as parades and musical performances and a festive festival of lights.

In Malaysia, especially areas with Indian communities, Deepavali is certainly celebrated with great fanfare. Homes will be decorated with special trinkets. Even shopping malls join in the festivities by organizing various related events and decorating their stores. One major feature of celebrating this auspicious day is to create a Kolam around the house. Kolam is a decoration or drawing that is made using either chalk powder or rice flour to produce geometrical drawings with curved loops, dots or symmetrical patterns.

Just like other people celebrating their holy days, it is also important to buy new clothes to celebrate Deepavali Day. Typical Indian clothing, such as saris for women and kurtas and dhoti for men will also be used by Hindus during the peak of this day's celebrations.

Deepavali is also a day for vacationing with distant family, exchanging news, eating together, and going to temples to pray for the smooth running of affairs in the world. The day gets even more festive at night, where Hindus will light lamps, candles, and so on in the streets, homes, and anywhere else. Often, they also set off fireworks to make the day more festive.

In Malaysia, there are several places you can visit to experience the festivities of Deepavali Day. There are several locations where Hindus or Indian communities gather and celebrate together. Here’s the details:

Batu Caves is one of Malaysia's landmarks located in Selangor, 13 km from Kuala Lumpur. This place is considered sacred to Malaysian Hindus, so on festive days, they come to Batu Caves to pray and celebrate together.

Not only at Batu Caves, in various temples located in Malaysia, Hindus will celebrate Diwali Day with great fanfare and decorate the temple with their own characteristics. They will also come to the location from the morning to pray and celebrate together until the evening and light the victory sign. You can visit temples like Sri Kandaswamy Hindu Temple and Sri Mahamariamman Temple. Usually, Hindus who have finished praying will also be fed fruit and coconuts to eat together while having a chat.

Malaysia, especially Kuala Lumpur has the Little India area which is inhabited by many Indian communities. This area is located close to KL Sentral Station, you only need to walk about 5 minutes to visit it. Every year, this place is crowded and very bright as the Diwali celebrations approach. The surrounding shops are also enlivened with decorations and lights. This is the place to buy Indian ornaments, saris, and food to complete the festivities.

Now that you've got the lowdown, you might be interested in visiting Malaysia on this Hindu holiday. To experience the festivities, you can visit the places mentioned above. Then, below, Traveloka will provide some recommendations on where to stay for those of you who come at this time.

Interested in visiting Batu Caves in Selangor? Then you need to stay at the Sunway Hotel Pyramid! This place is about 30 minutes from Batu Caves and 25 minutes from the center of Kuala Lumpur. It is a 4-star hotel with complete facilities and has more than 600 rooms. You can also visit other places, such as Sunway Theme Park and Sunway Shopping Center which are located in one place.

Address: Persiaran Lagoon, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

Located in the heart of Melaka's historic city, Hatten Hotel Melaka offers a luxurious and culturally rich stay. This 5-star hotel blends modern elegance with the charm of Melaka's heritage. For those interested in experiencing Diwali, you can visit Jonker Street and the Portuguese Settlement to experience the festivities. Jonker Street, in particular, comes alive during the Deepavali season with vibrant decorations, cultural performances, and stalls offering traditional Indian treats.

Address: Hatten Square, Jln Merdeka, Banda Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia.

Located in the vibrant city of Johor Bahru, KSL Hotel & Resort is the place for an unforgettable Malaysian adventure. This modern and stylish hotel offers a range of facilities and attractions, including during Deepavali Day. Johor Bahru, located close to Singapore, has a growing Indian community. You can explore the Deepavali celebrations in Little India, where the streets come alive with colorful decorations and delicious foods. There are several hotels and serviced apartments in the city.

Address: 33, Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Berjaya Penang Hotel provides the perfect stays for experiencing Deepavali in Penang. Immerse yourself in the festival's rich traditions, from the lighting of oil lamps to the exchange of gifts. When you've had enough of the Deepavali festival, you can take advantage of the hotel's spa facilities. Its strategic location, close to the center of city life, complete facilities, and a variety of room options to choose from, make Berjaya Penang the one to choose!

Address: 1-Stop Midlands Park, Jalan Burma, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Book your stay through Traveloka to take advantage of exclusive deals and discounts. Download and register your Traveloka application now to celebrate Deepavali in style and comfort at Hotels in Malaysia. Your memorable Deepavali festival experience in Malaysia awaits!