KUALA LUMPUR: The festive atmosphere is building ahead of Deepavali on Nov 8, with the Indian community nationwide preparing for the Festival of Lights by buying traditional attire, making festive delicacies and decorating their homes to celebrate the occasion with family and friends.
A survey in several states found that shopping hotspots are beginning to draw crowds seeking festive essentials, while traders are offering a wide range of goods and promotions to attract customers.
In KUALA LUMPUR, traders in Little India, Brickfields, are hoping for an increase in visitors this weekend, although unpredictable weather has affected sales.
Shoe and accessories trader Vishan Daren, 30, said the rain kept some customers away, but visitor numbers began to pick up on Friday (Oct 30) and were expected to rise further over the weekend.
In SELANGOR, a survey at Little India, Klang, found that Deepavali preparations had drawn shoppers from various communities, including Nadia Dastghill, 44, who was shopping for traditional Indian attire for her child’s school celebration and a sari as a gift for the teacher.
Another visitor, N. Rama Rao, 38, said Little India remains his family’s preferred shopping destination as it offers a wide selection of traditional attire at reasonable prices.
In NEGRI SEMBILAN, about 30,000 visitors are expected at the 10-day Deepavali Bazaar in Jalan Datuk Lee Fong Yee, popularly known as Little India Seremban, which began on Thursday (Oct 29).
Negri Sembilan Indian Community Affairs special officer Datuk VS Mogan said the bazaar features 140 traders offering a variety of festive goods, as well as performances by local artistes, including Santesh Kumar, to enliven the atmosphere.
In JOHOR, shoppers have begun visiting the Deepavali Bazaar along Jalan Ungku Puan in Johor Baru for traditional attire, flowers, accessories, sweets and snacks.
Homemaker K. Kalaivani, 40, from Pasir Gudang, said she chose to shop a week in advance to avoid the last-minute rush.
Meanwhile, traditional snack trader Renuka, 34, said customer response has been encouraging so far, with tarts, suji and murukku among the most sought-after items.
In PENANG, the excitement is palpable, with business premises already decorated for the festival, and special sales and discounts offered on selected items.
VKN Sivasamy & Son director Aditya Tandian said customer response is almost on par with last year’s, with some visitors coming all the way from Sungai Petani, Kulim, Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur.
However, he noted that between 10% and 15% of customers choose to make their purchases online.
In PERLIS, V. Malarvizhi, 56, a vendor selling festive goods in Pauh, Arau, said customer response remains slow but is expected to pick up about a week before Deepavali, as people begin shopping for clothes, religious items and traditional delicacies.
Malarvizhi, who has been in the business for more than 10 years, said most customers typically made their purchases in the final week before the festival, while she would make her own preparations three to four days before Deepavali.
In PAHANG, Dr S. Bavani, 43, from Kuantan, said her family’s preparations begin with purchasing traditional attire such as saris and kurtas, as well as preparing traditional delicacies, including murukku and sweets, to serve guests.
The mother of two said cleaning and decorating the house with oil lamps and colourful ornaments are also part of the preparations to create a festive atmosphere.
Meanwhile, in KELANTAN, the Hindu community in Kuala Krai and Tanah Merah is making modest preparations while maintaining traditions such as preparing festive delicacies, cleaning their homes and strengthening family and neighbourhood ties.
Single mother of seven, R. Parvathy, 68, from Kuala Krai, said her children helped purchase traditional attire and other festive necessities, while she prepared murukku to be shared with family members and neighbours.
Another Tanah Merah resident, S. Chandrakala, 40, said preparing traditional delicacies such as murukku and laddu with family members not only added to the festive cheer but also ensured that the heritage continued to be preserved by younger generations. – Bernama
