Deepavali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Dharmic religious festival and one of the most important festivals within Hinduism. The word light serves as a symbol of knowledge and consciousness. Therefore, lamps, candles, and lanterns illuminate many private and public places during the festival.
Most states in Malaysia will have a long weekend holiday during the Deepavali holidays in 2023. If you are celebrating the Deepavali holidays or planning a weekend getaway, check out these 10 best things to do during Deepavali 2023.
What does Deepavali symbolize?
Deepavali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Furthermore, it is a celebration of the day Rama returned to his kingdom in Ayodhya with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana after defeating the demon Ravana in Lanka and serving 14 years of exile.
Who celebrates Deepavali?
Originally a Hindu festival, Diwali is now also celebrated by Jains and Sikhs. It is a major cultural event for the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain diaspora. The Deepavali celebration is widely observed in Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, and Fiji. In fact, in some countries, Deepavali is a national holiday.
How is Deepavali celebrated?
During Deepavali, people wear their finest clothes and illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with saaki (earthen lamp), diyas and rangoli. They also perform worship ceremonies of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, light fireworks, and enjoy family feasts, where gifts are shared.
10 Best Things To Do During Deepavali 2023
Planning Your Deepavali Holidays For 2023:
1. Light Up Your Home With Diyas
The homes of those celebrating Deepavali would be lit up with Diyas and bright lights. In Hindu tradition, the lighting of a Diya is an essential part of prayer and signifies purity, goodness, good luck, and power. The presence of light also means the eradication of darkness and evil forces. Therefore, Diyas are lit to weaken those evil forces in every corner of the house.
2. Offer Prayers At Sri Kandaswamy Temple, Brickfields
During Deepavali, devotees will pray with the masses at Sri Kandaswamy Temple, Brickfields. After two years of observing Deepavali modestly, Hindus can now perform mass prayers at temples. Devotees will pray for the fulfilment of wealth, health, and good fortune for the coming year. While you are here in Kuala Lumpur, stay at one of these 10 best serviced apartments in Kuala Lumpur and check out these 9 best things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Operating Hours: 6am to 8.30pm daily
Address: Sri Kandaswamy Temple, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Selangor
Phone No: 03-2274 2987
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SriKandaswamyTemple
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/srikandaswamytemple/?hl=en
Refer Info On Website3. Admire The Deepavali Kolam
Traditionally, kolam is said to be drawn to announce auspiciousness. It also conveys that all is well in the household, while its absence implies otherwise. That being said, a kolam is meant to welcome Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Prosperity, into one’s home. The decorative rice motif is usually drawn in front of the house, attracting good luck. It is also a welcome sight for visitors who frequent Deepavali open houses.
4. Have Fun Making Homemade Murukku
Have some fun making homemade Murukku to give to your family and friends. Murukku is a savoury, crunchy Indian snack usually made from rice flour and urad dal flour. The flour is mixed with water, salt, chilli powder, asafoetida and either sesame seeds or cumin seeds. The mix is kneaded into a dough and shaped into spiral or coil shapes either by hand or extruded using a mould. The spirals are then deep-fried in vegetable oil. Check out these 10 best Murukku flour in Malaysia.
5. Have A Feast With Your Loved Ones
Have a feast with your loved ones on Deepavali and try out these 10 best indian restaurants in Ipoh or if you are in Kuala Lumpur, check out these 10 best buffets in Kuala Lumpur. Are you a fan of Sup Tulang? Johor has these 8 best sup tulang that taste simply divine. If you love BBQ, there are 10 best Korean BBQ restaurants in Melaka for you to choose from. There are also these 10 must-visit restaurants in Penang that will leave you wanting more. In addition, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching restaurants serve fantastic food selections too.
6. Exchange Indian Sweets With Family And Friends
It is an old tradition of considering sweets pure and an offering to the gods. Offering sweets is a small gesture when you greet family and friends while celebrating the Festival of Lights. Furthermore, to exchange Indian sweets or mithaiwith your loved ones during Deepavali is to shower them with blessings for the coming year. Check out these 10 Best Indian sweets and snacks in Malaysia.
7. Participate in The Deepavali Celebrations at Pavilion Bukit Jalil
On Deepavali at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, you will be greeted with beautiful decorations, various performances, and Deepavali-themed activities such as decorating sand kolams. There will also be limited-time promotions on discounts and gift vouchers. So it is an event you must attend if you are staying within or travelling to the Klang Valley. Also, check out these 10 best shopping malls in the Klang Valley.
Operating Hours: 10am to 10pm daily
Address: 2, Persiaran Jalil 8, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Phone No: 03-8092 9933
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PavilionBukitJalil.Mall/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pavilionbukitjalil.mall/?hl=en
View website8. Marvel At The Colourful LED-Light Display At i-City Theme Park
What better place to spend the Festival of Lights than at one of the top 25 brightest places in the world? The i-City Theme Park is a family theme park with more than 50 rides or attractions. Here, you can enjoy numerous rides and games with family and friends. You can also dine at the theme park as there are many food choices available for you to choose from. Be sure to stay until the colourful LED-light displays are turned on at night because it is a photo shoot opportunity you do not want to miss. While there, you can also visit these 8 best instagrammable places in Selangor.
Operating Hours: 5pm to 12am daily
Address: i-Gallery, Jalan Multimedia, I-City, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor
Phone No: 03-5521 8800
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Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/icitymy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icitymalaysia
View website9. Journey To The Blue Lagoon, Alor Setar
Bring your family on a relaxing trip to Alor Setar during the Deepavali holiday to visit the gorgeous blue waters of the Blue Lagoon. Before arriving at the Blue Lagoon, you must walk along a narrow gravel road between rice fields. After walking for about two kilometres, you will arrive at the Blue Lagoon, a big blue pond between the rice fields. It is a picturesque location for photographs and an excellent place for a sunset stroll. You can also see Gunung Keriang over the calm and quiet lagoon. It would be a peaceful weekend for you and your family to enjoy. Check out these 10 best things to do in Alor Setar as you take a break from the hectic Deepavali festivities.
Operating Hours: All-day
Address: Blue Lagoon, 05150 Alor Setar, Kedah
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
10. Enjoy A Vacation in Langkawi
As Deepavali falls in November, it would be a great time to visit Langkawi, as this is when Malaysia’s west coast receives the most sunshine and the least rain. You can stay in one of the 9 best resorts in Langkawi, in a luxurious 5-star resort such as the Ritz Carlton, located within a 10-million-year-old rainforest on the edge of the Andaman Sea.
During Deepavali, the Lembaga Pembangunan Langkawi will organize Langkawi Deepavali celebrations. It would be an exciting experience to celebrate Deepavali on Langkawi island. At Langkawi, you can also experience swimming amid gentle aquatic animals and ocean life and take underwater photographs of rare corals. Find out more about these 8 best things to do in Langkawi.
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