Kuala Lumpur, Nov 3- The Deepavali celebration by Malaysian Hindus on Saturday started off on a joyous and auspicious note with the faithful offering morning prayers and welcoming family and friends to their homes throughout the country.
At the compound of the Batu Caves temple complex here, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor spent about an hour at the Deepavali open house organised by the MIC which was attended by thousands of people from all walks of life as well as tourists.
Drum beats and trumpet music added to the sense of gaiety in welcoming Najib, who is also Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman, when he arrived at 10.15 am.
On hand to welcome him were MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, his deputy Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and other party leaders.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Malaysia’s Special Envoy to India and South Asia Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and MCA vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai were among the other VIPs who graced the event.
Donning a white “kurta” (traditional Indian shirt), Najib then cut a cake together with the other dignitaries.
Najib and Muhyiddin then attended another Deepavali open house hosted by the Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the HGH Convention Centre in Sentul here.
Meanwhile, a Spanish tourist from Barcelona who only wanted to be known as Raphael, 66, said he was amazed to see various races joining the celebration at the Batu Caves complex.
“This is my first time here and I’m so excited with the colourful celebration as well as the various delicacies on offer. The Indian fare is very nice,” he told Bernama.
Senior citizen, Mary Yim, 68, said she and her husband came there specifically to “soak in the atmosphere” apart from enjoying traditional Indian food which they did not have the opportunity to taste before.
In IPOH, former Perak state executive councillor Datuk G. Rajoo hosted a Deepavali open house at his residence in Taman Lim.
The Perak government will be hosting a Deepavali open house at Dewan Merdeka, Majlis Perbandaran Manjung tomorrow with the attendance expected to exceed 7,000 people.
In MELAKA, Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron attended an open house hosted by the Melaka chapter of the Council of Former Elected Representatives at the home of former state executive councillor Datuk R. Raghavan.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam will hold a Deepavali open house in Ujong Pasir tonight which is also scheduled to be attended by Idris.
Meanwhile, Melaka’s Little India in Jalan Bendahara here was a kaleidoscope of colours which enthralled local and foreigh tourists alike.
In KUCHING, among the temples which were the focus of Hindus living in the state capital were Kuil Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman in Jalan Ban Hock and Kuil Sri Maha Mariamman, Batu Lintang.
According to retiree Muniyandi Naransamy, 60, and Rajelosana Suppaiya, 54, the Deepavali celebration among the small Hindu community in Kuching was no less merry as compared to their peninsular counterpart.
“I used to live and work in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. I dare say the celebration in Kuching is all the more merry because the small Hindu community enables us to forge even closer ties,” said Muniyandi, who worked with an airport handling company before retiring.
In SEREMBAN, several MIC leaders held open houses including Negeri Sembilan MIC chairman Datuk T. Rajagopalu, his at his residence in Taman Sungai Ujong here.
State executive councillor L. Manickam held his at the Jeram Padang Barisan Nasional (BN) service centre, Bahau while MIC national information chief Datuk V.S. Mogan, who is also Rembau MIC chairman, in Taman Rantau, Rembau.
In ARAU, entreprenuer M. Kumaran, 54, held an open house at Kompleks Penyayang Dr Siti Hasmah with a number of disabled people also specially invited.
Kumaran, who himself is disabled, also presented gifts to the special guests.
In JOHOR BAHARU, Hindus thronged several temples to offer prayers and thanksgiving, among them Kuil Sree Muneeswaran, Tampoi and Kuil Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam in Jalan Ungku Puan in the city centre.
State Unity and Human Resources Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan, who is also Johor MIC secretary, is scheduled to hold an open house at Dewan Kejora, Taman Sri Lambak near Kluang from 10am to 1pm tomorrow.
In PENANG, the open house of Senator Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan, who is also state PPP chairman, was deluged with visitors of all races in Bukit Mertajam this afternoon.
Thousands of Hindus were also seen making beelines to temples located in Jalan Air Terjun, Jalan Kebun Bunga and Jalan Datok Keramat in George Town.
– Bernama
