Malaysian Hindus celebrate Diwali, pray and unite to spread light and happiness

today isIndia On Diwali, an important festival for believers, Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur’s “Little India” ushered in a celebratory moment of prayer and reunion. Devotees visit temples to pray for blessings, and their piety is evident. Through rituals such as bathing with oil, wearing new clothes and distributing sweets, they welcome the festival symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, and share happiness with relatives and friends.

The 2026 Malaysian Diwali festival will be held at Little India, Brickfields on the 14th and is expected to attract around 5,000 people. Traditional Indian dances, cultural performances, martial arts demonstrations and singer performances will be arranged to showcase the multicultural characteristics of Malaysia.

Diwali, also known as Diwali, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. There are different legends about the origin of this festival. One of the myths comes from the Indian epic “Ramayana”, which tells that after Prince Rama’s wife Sita was kidnapped by Ravana and taken to the Kingdom of Lanka (now Sri Lanka), the monkey god Hanuman assisted Rama in crossing the ocean to rescue his wife. When the forces of Rama and Hanuman united to kill Ravana, he returned to Ayodhya in the north and became king.

Many Hindu families take an early morning oil bath as a symbol of purification of body and mind, then wear new clothes, offer prayers and meet relatives and friends. Families will also light oil lamps to express hope for light and a better life.

Brickfields, located near Kuala Lumpur Central Station, is an area where the Indian community gathers. Indian restaurants, traditional clothes, gold jewelery traders and flower garland stalls can be seen along the road. During the festival, Kolam or Rangoli decorations are often seen at the entrances of shopping malls and buildings. Rice grains, rice noodles and other ingredients are arranged with floral, peacock or geometric patterns. Colorful colors make the festive atmosphere even better.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also posted a message on social media Facebook to wish Diwali. He said Diwali brings light of happiness and promotes the spirit of the “festival of lights”, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and the power of knowledge to free people from the bondage of ignorance and ego.

Anwar said that in a pluralistic society based on multiculturalism and tradition, the value of mutual respect, understanding and acceptance of differences should be strengthened, so that the festival can become an opportunity to unite, bring ethnic groups together, inculcate the spirit of charity and care for needy groups. He hopes that this year’s Diwali will infuse new spirit and develop more open, pure and progressive thinking, thereby enhancing the dignity of people and strengthening national harmony.

Aravinth, a Hindu, was interviewed by the Central News Agency today in front of an Indian temple and said that Diwali is about gathering, and everyone is scattered due to work and other factors; Diwali is a day of gathering with family, friends and parents.

Arvind further said, “Actually, on Diwali, grandma and grandpa will wake everyone up early in the morning. Then we will take an oil bath and pray. Then they will give us new clothes, crackers and sweets. Then they will burst crackers, eat sweets and distribute sweets to relatives and friends. This is ‘our happiness’.”

He said that Diwali is all about happiness and being able to reconnect with friends, colleagues and family members and show strong unity is a kind of happiness. “Diwali means happiness for us.”

“After worshiping at the temple with the family, we will probably play crackers with the children. If possible, we will also go watch movies with the family and enjoy delicious food at home,” Arvind said.

In addition, officials including Communications Minister Fahmy Fadzil, Higher Education Minister Zambri bin Abdul Kadir and Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nee Ching also sent blessings, and called on the public to cherish family ties, foster neighborly friendship and care for needy groups. He also reminded people returning home and traveling to share the festival of peace and unity to drive carefully.