Deepavali Festival

Deepavali or the Festival of Lights (deep) is one of the biggest of its kind that is celebrated in the Indian subcontinent. In Malaysia, Indians - Hindus - celebrate this event in the winter months offering prayers of thanksgiving and rituals of conduct cleansing in the temples and household altars. The preparations for the celebration are made by conducting a massive clean-up in their homes. Patterns are etched on the floor as well as on the walls by hand with the help of colored rice.

Homes are lit with the shimmer of the oil lamps, which are strategically positioned on the porch and balconies. Temples are lavishly coated with flowers and offerings of sliced fruit and coconut milk, which are placed on the altars by the devotees, some of whom go on a fast or opt for a vegetarian diet. Deepavali is also the time when you get a chance to sample the delicious Indian delicacies like sweetmeats, rice puddings and the extremely popular murukku or the fried flour cookie.

On the morning of Deepavali (a variation is Diwali) many of the Hindus take an oil bath before opting for a visit to the temple for prayers and ceremonial rites. Through the rest of the day, the houses are open to guests, friends and neighbors who call in for a smack of yummy Indian food.

Hotels in Kuala Lumpur
Hotel Equatorial	Hotel Dorsett Regency
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