Deepavali in Malaysia - As a country which is rich in cultural diversity and ethnicities, Malaysia has various public holidays for main-religious celebration. Not only Hari Raya Aidilfitri which has public holidays, other main religions in Malaysia such as Deepavali and Chinese New Year also have their own public holiday celebration.

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is the festival of lights which is celebrated by many Indian and Hindu communities around the world, including Malaysia. Hinduism in Malaysia celebrates Deepavali for one day. During the celebrations, Hindu in Malaysia might invite people of other religions into their homes to celebrate the festivals together in their home.

While in India Deepavali or Diwali being celebrated with light fireworks besides having a celebration with families, Malaysia also does the same, for the celebrations with family and friends. However, fireworks in Malaysia are being banned and crackers.

However, there are still many other ways to celebrate the ‘Hari Diwali’ or ‘Green Diwali’ in Malaysia. Here is the overview of how Deepavali in Malaysia celebrates!

The festival of lights won’t be complete without decorating the whole house without lamps. Therefore, even though fireworks are not allowed in Kuala Lumpur, the Hindus in Malaysia are still able to celebrate it by decorating the house with lamps.

Not only decorate the home’s area, the Hindus also start to clean the house so people get comfortable while enjoying the moment. Usually, lights will be placed in every corner of the house, including the balconies and even thresholds with lit oil lamps.

The most exciting part, at the entrance of the houses, will be decorated with Rangoli or also known as Kolam. The floor will be painted with uncooked coloured rice & grains to share food with small animals such as insects and ants. Besides, this is also a welcome sign for the goddess of Wealth, Ma Lakshmi.

Lighting of diyas or lamps are a must-thing to do during Deepavali celebration in Malaysia. Not only inside the houses, diyas also will be lighted around the streets to make the celebration become rousing!

During the celebration of Deepavali, one of the most awaited is the food and also the sweets! In Malaysia, most Indians will make traditional Indian dishes to celebrate Deepavali. Not only for themselves, but also to be delivered to other families and friends.

There are some popular destinations recommended to celebrate Deepavali in Malaysia. Little India in the Brickfields Neighborhood is one of them. During the Diwali celebration, the streets will be surrounded by vibrant lights and decorated beautifully. Not only that, you can also find colorful flowers around the area!

Besides celebrating Deepavali only at houses, the Hindus in Malaysia also celebrate Diwali during an open house hosted by the Prime Minister. It started becoming a tradition, and not only for locals, but foreigners also able to visit the open house to taste the foods and entertainments!

Little India, specifically the area along Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang, is known as one of the biggest locations to celebrate Deepavali in Malaysia. While around the area of the road, you will find people in traditional clothes, flowers, and wearing jewelry!

The Hindus in Malaysia tend to have some specific meals as a celebration of Deepavali. Here are the most popular meals during Deepavali in KL.

In Malaysia, biryani (called as briyani), also known as nasi beriani (nasi minyak) is a popular dish to have during the celebration of Deepavali. The dish will be served with Rendang and also have some side dishes such as Sirap Bandung.

The name Murukku originally comes from the Tamil language, if it’s been translated as ‘twisted’. Just like the name, the dish will have a twisted appearance and become a popular dish to have during Deepavali.

Payasam is also called Kheer. This is a traditional dessert originally from Malaysia which is actually a sweet pudding made from milk, grains, lentils, and sugar. The sweet taste of Payasam makes it loved by not only the Hindus, but also people who do not celebrate Deepavali.

Laddu is also known as laddo, while in Malaysia, it is called as ‘kuih laddu’. This is a sweet treat originally from India, but it is also famous in Malaysia and other countries around it. Kuih laddu’s taste is sweet, and popular to be served as a treat during Deepavali.

Samosa is a fried pastry with savory tastes and the filling. Samosa has different shapes in every region. But, the most popular shapes come in half-moon shapes, triangular, cone, and many more.

Not only Japan which has its own curry, during Deepavali celebration, Malaysians also tend to eat chicken curry and become a speciality in any Indian household. Chicken curry tastes best while eating it with Roti Jala.

There is so much transportation that you can use to get to Malaysia from Malaysia. Either you want to come with air, land, or the water mode transportation, here are some popular transportation to use from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.

Flying with flight has become the fastest, efficient, and easiest way to touch down in Malaysia. For the duration itself, flights departing from Singapore to Malaysia will take around 1 hour travel time, with the cost for a flight as S$75. Tips: for the best deals and affordable prices, you can book your flights to KL with Traveloka.

If you need to press your budget for transportation from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, the most possible but yet still convenient is by using the bus. A one way travel cost to KL starts from S$15. Tips: put more attention to the cost of the bus tickets, because the prices also affect the bus’s facilities and comfortness.

Train is the most popular choice for travelers going to Malaysia from Singapore. However, you need to take around 2-transfer trains, because there is not a direct train from Singapore to Malaysia. The cost of the ticket is around S$22 with the total travel time starting from 8 hours. Tips: remember to arrive at the station at least 10 minutes before departure because the platform gate usually will close before departure.

Address: No 6 Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50470

The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur is a five-star hotel’s recommendation as a stay-in accommodation while in Malaysia. The hotel’s location is very strategic, near public transportation and popular destinations or attractions among the tourists.

If you are interested in spending a night at this hotel, don’t forget to prepare around S$334 for an overnight stay at this hotel.

Address: 168 Jalan Imbi, Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 55100

Kuala Lumpur provides various five-star hotels around, and another hotel’s recommendation you can recommend is The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur. The hotel serves a spacious room with modern interior design and amenities, such a great place to rest your body during your time in Malaysia.

An overnight stay at this hotel will cost you around S$193 for the cheapest prices.

Address: 145 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50450

Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur not only perfect for a stay-in accommodation to celebrate Deepavali in Malaysia, but also can be a great option to celebrate your wedding anniversary. The hotel will spoil you with the beautiful views and landscapes of Malaysia. You can even see the popular Petronas Twin Tower from the room at this hotel!

You need to spend from S$297 for an overnight stay at this hotel.

Address: Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50088

Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur is a kind of hotel which serves you with modernity and rooftop swimming pools, so you could enjoy the views of the metropolis life in Kuala Lumpur from above. The food is the best, it serves various foods from around the world to your table!

Getting ready! An overnight stay at this hotel will cost you around S$286.

Address: 11, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50250

Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur became another hotel’s recommendation for stay-in accommodation while in Kuala Lumpur. The room is comfortable and the staff serve their excellent treatment!

An overnight stay at this hotel will cost you from S$247.

Getting ready to have wonderful Deepavali celebrations by planning your trip, starts by getting a Singapore to KL flight, and booking a hotel, only through Traveloka!