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Festival of Lights
21 Oct 2014 — Deepavali, or Diwali, is a festival celebrated by Hindus to commemorate Lord Rama and his wife, Sita’s return to Ayodhya after his 14-year exile. It was a dark night when they first returned, hence his people lit their houses with lamps (diyas) so that Rama and Sita could find their way. For some Hindus, Deepavali is also celebrated in honour of the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. The lighting of diyas would then make it easy for Lakshmi to find her way to homes. Thus, this festival is known as the Festival of Lights. It also signifies the victory of good over evil. Lighting diyas also refers to the inner light, which, according to Hindu philosophy, is called the Atman. Hindus in Malaysia will celebrate Deepavali on October 22.
A woman waiting for her henna hand-paint to dry at an open air market ahead of Deepavali in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 21, 2014.
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A trader arranging statues of the Hindu god Ganesha in his shop in George Town, Penang, ahead of the Deepavali celebration. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, October 21, 2014.
A woman browsing for clothing at a Deepavali bazaar in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Najjua Zulkefli, October 21, 2014.
Shoppers looking at flowers at an open air market ahead of Deepavali in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 21, 2014.
A woman buying flowers at an open air market ahead of the Hindu festival of Deepavali in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 21, 2014.
A shop bustling with customers ahead of the Hindu festival of Deepavali in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 21, 2014.
A shopper checking out accessories at an open air market in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 21, 2014.
A salesman attending to customers at a shop in Kuala Lumpur ahead of Deepavali celebration. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 21, 2014.
A vendor waiting for customers in his shop ahead of the Hindu festival of Deepavali in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 21, 2014.
A woman with her selection of sarees in a shop in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 21, 2014.
A woman shopping for garlands ahead for the upcoming Deepavali celebrations in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Najjua Zulkefli, October 21, 2014.
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A trader waiting for customers at his shop in Little India, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, October 21, 2014.
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A shopper looking at Indian traditional clothing in a shop in Little India, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, October 21, 2014.
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A boy greeting a disabled woman at the shopping haven of Little India, Penang, ahead of the Deepavali celebration. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, October 21, 2014.
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A boy 'caught' among the decorations on sale in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, October 21, 2014.
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A general view of the Little India shopping area in Penang ahead of Hindu celebration of Deepavali. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, October 21, 2014.
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