No matter the weather: Tourists from Banting, Selangor, snapping a photo under umbrellas at a well-known George Town mural during Deepavali. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: It was a rainy Deepavali, yet the celebration of the Festival of Lights remained just as vibrant.
Families gathered early for prayers and temple visits, while homes were aglow with colourful kolam, oil lamps and festive decorations symbolising the triumph of light over darkness.
The rain did little to dampen the spirit of freelance dancer Maitheli Mohana Sundaram, as she welcomed her friends to her home in Solok Rawana here.
“The rain makes the day even more memorable,” she said.
Maitheli, 25, who prepared murukku, laddu and chicken varuval, said Deepavali was more than just a religious festival, as it was a time to strengthen bonds and share joy with everyone, regardless of race or religion.
As a child, she recalled seeing her father entertain friends of diverse races and backgrounds during Deepavali.
“We always looked forward to this celebration,” she said.
Her friend, cultural artist Natasha Amanda Shukhi, 27, brought her parents along.
Natasha said she and Maitheli have known each other for years.
“We’re not just colleagues; we’re like family,” she said, adding that Maitheli often visits her home in Tikam Batu.
“Deepavali is extra special because it allows us to spend time together outside of the office to enjoy good food and good company,” Natasha said.
Natasha’s father, Shukhi Ibrahim, 67, highlighted his pleasure in his daughter’s friendship with Maitheli, calling it a reflection of the spirit of togetherness.
“It makes me proud to see young people keeping this harmony alive,” he said.
He said that such ties should be nurtured from a young age so that they would continue to appreciate diversity and unity.
For civil servant Nekmah Borhan, 39, this was her first Deepavali visit to Maitheli’s home.
“This is one of the best ways to strengthen our bond. We can truly understand and respect each other’s culture,” she said.
A check at several Hindu temples here saw the faithful arriving with umbrellas for their Deepavali prayers.
At the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga, devotees began arriving as early as 7am.
Engineer M. Velavan, 33, joined by his wife, K. Bagerathi, 32, and their two daughters at the temple, expressed heartfelt gratitude for celebrating the occasion with his family.
“We will visit my mother-in-law’s house and my parents’ house later,” he said.
Praying for success in her studies, final-year medical student Pryashena Kannan Kumar, 26, hopes to complete her course and become a doctor.
