GUA MUSANG, Oct 22 (Bernama) — The excitement leading up to the final preparations for the Deepavali ‘festival of lights’ is increasingly felt when more than 500 Hindus here were seen busy buying new clothes, cakes and decorative accessories to usher in the festivity on Monday (Oct 24).

Housewife, P. Rani Gunasuntari, 46, said she knows that she would need to spend prudently in ushering the festival of lights because of the rising cost of living.

“I am definitely excited because celebrating Deepavali this year is unlike two years ago when we had to face the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My family members and I will be celebrating Deepavali on a moderate scale, traditionally and with full of harmony,” she said when met by reporters at her home located at the People’s Housing Programme (PPR) here today.

According to Rani, Deepavali is about good winning over evil or one that symbolizes the presence of light illuminating darkness which also helps brighten the tradition of visiting the homes of relatives and friends during the festivity.

Meanwhile, M. Trisha a fifth former from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tengku Indera Petra here said celebrating Deepavali would be a muted affair if her house was not decorated with ‘kolam’ because it is the key ingredient to celebrating the festival of lights.

‘Kolam’ is a designed drawing made from coloured rice flour, and is used for ornamental or ceremonial design during traditional Indian festivities.

“To produce a beautiful ‘kolam’ requires more than 15 types of colors using materials such as rice, rice flour and grated coconut. Family members must work together just like in a gotong-royong and the materials used must not be expensive and easily available,” Trisha added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency