KUALA LUMPUR: Many tourists from India celebrated Deepavali here with the festive warmth making them feel very much welcomed.
From traditional oil lamps and colourful floral displays to festive greetings at restaurants and tourist attractions, they were pleasantly surprised by how the Festival of Lights was embraced within a multicultural society.
Liston Joseph, 36, a bank worker from Bengaluru, said the scale of the celebration was far beyond what he had expected.
“I am surprised to see how much decorations there is. I could see banners, posters and celebratory lights put up everywhere, with Malaysians wishing us Happy Deepavali at every turn.”
Chennai-based entrepreneur J. Subashree, 38, was surprised by the festive decorations at her homestay apartment, where colourful rangoli designs, lights, diyas and flowers transformed the surroundings.
“I was like, am I in India or Malaysia? A lot of places, including restaurants and tourist attractions, also had boards wishing everyone Happy Diwali,” she said.
Subashree said she was touched by how people of different backgrounds embraced Deepavali.
“It is very heartwarming,” she said, adding that she hoped to bring her two young children to Malaysia for them to experience the festivities for themselves.
For Jeya Seelan, 46, an area manager and Indian-born New Zealand citizen, said it is Malaysia’s multicultural spirit that set its Deepavali celebrations apart.
He said the way people from different backgrounds came together to celebrate gave the festival a distinctive character, unlike the regional cultural differences he experienced in India.
“When it comes to Malaysia, we can see and feel that everyone is more united in one way or another.
“People have the freedom to celebrate the way they want,” he added.
As for Indian workers here, the celebration was mixed with feelings of missing home.
While some returned to India to celebrate with loved ones, those who could not found comfort in the local festive atmosphere.
Restaurant manager Pintu Yadav, 33, who is from Buxar in Bihar, said Malaysia has been his home for over eight years.
He said the Little India enclave here provided a welcoming space to gather and enjoy the celebration.
Restaurant supervisor Muaaz Nasir, 30, from Punjab, said he has been working in Malaysia for four years.
“It is nice that we can still celebrate and share sweets with our friends who are here. We have a large community, including Punjabis and Tamils,” he said.
Nasir said some of his colleagues returned to India for Deepavali, while others stayed behind to keep things running.
For clothing store sales clerk Asanta Sugumaran, 63, who is from Kerala, the festival remains closely tied to home.
Although she returns to India yearly to visit her parents, she said celebrating in her hometown had a charm of its own.
“Celebrating in the village is usually much nicer and more enjoyable, quite unlike in the city.
“But it is still nice to see that Deepavali is celebrated so openly and widely here in Malaysia,” she said.
