As I age, I have increasingly focused on the religious aspect of the Deepavali celebrations. This year there were more reasons for the subdued atmosphere. The Covid pandemic and the passing of family members, friends and fellow citizens in unprecedented numbers and tragic circumstances due to the illness reminded all of us how frail and uncertain life was.
Our helplessness about the political and economic uncertainties facing the country and anger at our elected representatives for their stupidity and for focusing on their own avarice rather than the needs and safety of the nation further dampened the mood this year. For most adults, the main emotion was not glee but rather gratitude for the well-being and camaraderie of family and friends. As we greeted family and friends, this thought was uppermost in our minds.
For almost two years, my wife was looking forward to our annual pilgrimage to the Marathandavar Temple in Maran, Pahang. This temple had great meaning for her especially as it was the house of worship that her parents and siblings visited as a family, yearly, especially when they were children. Our trip was repeatedly postponed because of the movement control order (MCO). I had given up hope but my wife kept her faith and her prayers were answered when the MCO was lifted a few days before Deepavali. Another worry I had was the monsoon and the sudden floods that affected that area.
We left our home in Petaling Jaya early on Deepavali eve and arrived at the temple well before the noon puja time. The weather was brilliant but I was very saddened upon arrival as the main temple was closed for renovations because a flood in January this year had affected the building. A temporary shed had been set up next to the main building to house the main deities while repairs were being carried out in the temple. Unlike our previous visits, very few people turned up for the noon puja. Everyone was masked, even the few children present. Our prayers were focused on saying thanks to the almighty for helping our family and friends survive Covid.
After Maran, we drove to Kuantan to spend the night. The following morning, a glorious sunrise across Teluk Cempedak greeted me as I was having my morning coffee – Lord Surya Bhagavan was telling me nothing could go wrong on this trip. After our morning bath, we made our way to the Sri Mariamman Temple. Visiting this temple had added meaning for me because, growing up in Muar, the Mariamman temple would be the first place my parents, sister and I would pray on Deepavali day.
Devotees in their Deepavali best thronged the temple. I was very worried because of the size of the crowd and the ever present treat of Covid. However, there was some reassurance as everybody was masked and people were trying to maintain a distance from one another. Again, we repeated our prayer of thanks and recited the Gayatri and Om Triyambakam mantras. Deepavali day this year was also Amavasya, an auspicious day to pray for our departed ancestors. Our daughter Mallini lit a Mocha Deepam (lamp for departed souls) and prayed for her departed grandparents.
The next part of our trip took us to Club Med Cherating. This was a trip that had been booked just before Covid surfaced. It was then repeatedly postponed because of the MCO.
The last time we were in Club Med was more than 25 years ago; we were a young couple then and the children were little. We had worked and saved hard and wanted to give the children a good holiday. We had many happy memories including the one where I took lessons on the trapeze and developed very sore muscles the next morning resulting in me not being able to bend my arms for several days!
We wanted to go down memory lane, especially as Mallini would be leaving for overseas soon and we did not know when we could be together as a family again. But we were even more wary as several family members had been afflicted with Covid in the past months. However being fully vaccinated and being reassured that Club Med was strictly adhering to the standard operating procedures gave us confidence.
Occupancy in the hotel was high but there was very strict enforcement of wearing masks, hand-washing and sanitising. Even the guest relations officer who ushered us to our rooms, would not enter the room as it had been sanitised for us. We kept away from crowds and from the swimming pool as there were many people who were unmasked, even though all who came to the hotel had to show proof of full vaccination.
The risk for infections was highest when guests got together for the buffet meals, but the hotel enforced strict rules. We had to wear our masks and gloves when we walked about to collect our food; we were allowed to remove these only when we sat at our own table with our family, to eat.
We took long walks in the spacious gardens. I took off my mask when I was alone, to breathe in the fresh sea air, but the moment someone approached, even at a distance, I quickly wore my mask again. It was encouraging to see all the guests observing the same amount of caution. We had good weather throughout our stay.
It has been a memorable Deepavali. The festival is a celebration of good over evil and light over darkness. Our prayers during this festival were also for good and light to reign over evil and darkness in our beloved country.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
