1 Utama showcases a replica kampung house with Minangkabau influence.
There is a palpable feeling of excitement as Hari Raya Aidilfitri nears after two years of subdued celebrations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
With only a few days left, many city folk are doing their last-minute shopping before the balik kampung exodus.
Eager to attract shoppers, malls in the Klang Valley have put up decorations to replicate the ambience of their hometowns, usually with a traditional kampung setting.
Shoppers taking turns to snap photos with the kampung house replica at Suria KLCC.
At Suria KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, there is a colourful replica of a kampung house sporting decorative lights in the centre court.
Many visitors can be seen admiring and exploring the ensemble that harkens back to traditional Malay life.
Parked near the plants and lampu pelita (oil lamps) is a dark blue Proton Saga, which symbolises a family having returned to their village.
At Alamanda Shopping Centre in Putrajaya, the Raya decorations are simpler.
A wooden house with mosaic steps in bright hues of green and yellow welcomes visitors to explore further.
Several stalls selling traditional wear such as baju kurung and samping add to the cheerful ambience.
To enhance the shopping experience, there are cultural performances such as cak lempong, inang and zapin dances.
Alamanda's Raya decorations capture the balik kampung feel.
At the 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya, a 12.5m replica of a “Rumah Gadang” stands prominently at the concourse level.
Its distinctive “buffalo horn” roof pays homage to Minangkabau architecture that is typical in Negri Sembilan.
The house comprises several interactive zones, including a vintage bedroom and kitchen, alongside wedding regalia and musical instruments.
Outside the structure, visitors can pose for Instagram-worthy photos in the kereta lambai (bullock cart).
Entertainment such as the gamelan, dikir barat, tarian lilin and endang dances enliven the festive mood.
Sunway Pyramid's concourse is decked with vibrant hues of blue, purple and orange to entice shoppers.
At the concourse of Sunway Pyramid in Petaling Jaya, kampung house replicas sport vibrant hues of blue, purple and orange.
Inside are an array of traditional outfits, giving shoppers that much-missed hometown vibe as they browse through the items for sale.
Parents with children find this place a perfect spot for capturing the well-curated Raya decorations on their smartphones.
At Sunway Velocity, Kuala Lumpur, the kampung house is adorned with bright pastel-coloured flowers.
Sunway Putra Mall, Kuala Lumpur, is banking on its arts showcase to entice visitors by placing hand-painted crescents at selected locations throughout the building.
There are seven artworks, adorned with intricate floral motifs, waiting to be discovered and photographed.
These art pieces are made by autistic artists Izaati Shahrin and Haziq Izmi from Nakseni, an arts and crafts company that works with disabled artists.
Intermark Mall in Kuala Lumpur is featuring traditional games such as congkak and wayang kulit performances to attract visitors.
It is collaborating with Karyaneka – a subsidiary of Kraftangan Malaysia – and Wak Long Music and Art Centre to showcase the traditional art forms until tomorrow.
At MyTown Shopping Centre, a moon inspired centrepiece near the entrance greets visitors.
Inside the mall, a model home made from bamboo lends a rustic feel amid the sea of people bustling about with their Raya shopping bags.
A wide variety of goods from headscarves to batik are also available at the marketplace inside the mall.
The Raya decorations at Paradigm Mall in Petaling Jaya, meanwhile, looks like a whimsical playground with its bright colours.
The display, which is a collaboration with Chupa Chups, is meant to evoke memories of childhood.
Children will surely appreciate the sensory stimulation after a tiring day of shopping with their parents.
At Da Men Mall in Subang Jaya, the decorations transport shoppers back to the urban 1990s with furnishings that use modern batik.
On the ground floor, there is a batik showcase which includes exclusive designs by body-positive brand Cynta Exclusive.
The centre court of the Curve shopping centre in Petaling Jaya, has been transformed into a fancy pavilion sporting vibrant green, yellow and pink songket patterns on the walls.
The arches and domes sparkle with decorative lights, further enhancing the festive ambience.
Many visitors were spotted queueing to take photos inside the structure.
Shoppers can also catch various performances ranging from keroncong, ghazal, cak lempong and serunai fusion from 2pm to 5pm during the festive season.
