Saris, sweets and shopping sprees: Deepavali buzz builds across Malaysia

Traders in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, are anticipating more shoppers in the final week before Deepavali despite recent wet weather. — Bernama pic

First Published: Friday, 30 Oct 2026 6:03 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — The festive atmosphere ahead of Deepavali on November 8 is becoming more vibrant as the Indian community nationwide begins making preparations for the Festival of Lights, including purchasing traditional attire, preparing special delicacies and decorating their homes to celebrate the occasion with family and relatives. 

Bernama’s survey in several states found that shopping hotspots are beginning to draw crowds purchasing festive essentials, while traders are offering a wide selection of goods and special promotions to attract customers. 

In KUALA LUMPUR, traders in Little India, Brickfields, are hoping for an increase in visitors this weekend, although the recent unpredictable weather has somewhat affected sales. 

Shoe and accessories trader Vishan Daren, 30, said the rain had resulted in fewer customers, but visitor numbers have started to pick up today and are expected to increase further on Saturday and Sunday. 

In SELANGOR, a survey at Little India, Klang, found that Deepavali preparations had also attracted people from various ethnic communities, including Nadia Dastghill, 44, who was shopping for traditional Indian attire for her child’s school celebration and a sari as a gift for the teacher. 

Another visitor, N. Rama Rao, 38, said Little India remains his family’s preferred shopping destination as it offers a wide selection of traditional attire at reasonable prices. 

Deepavali preparations are gathering pace in Ipoh, with traders hoping for a rise in customers over the weekend. — Bernama pic

In NEGERI SEMBILAN, about 30,000 visitors are expected to throng the Deepavali Bazaar at Jalan Datuk Lee Fong Yee, popularly known as Little India Seremban, throughout its 10-day operation, which began yesterday. 

Negeri Sembilan Indian Community Affairs special officer Datuk VS Mogan said the bazaar features 140 traders offering a variety of festive goods, as well as performances by local artistes, including Santesh Kumar, to enliven the atmosphere. 

In JOHOR, members of the public have begun making early preparations by visiting the Deepavali Bazaar along Jalan Ungku Puan in Johor Bahru to purchase traditional attire, decorative flowers, accessories, as well as various sweets and snacks. 

Homemaker K. Kalaivani, 40, from Pasir Gudang, said she chose to shop a week in advance to avoid the last-minute crowds. 

Meanwhile, traditional snack trader Renuka, 34, said customer response has been encouraging so far, with tarts, suji and murukku among the most sought-after festive delicacies. 

Shoppers browse traditional attire, accessories and festive decorations ahead of Deepavali in Johor Bahru November 8, 2026. — AFP pic

In PENANG, the festive excitement ahead of Deepavali is evident, with business premises adorned with colourful decorations and offering special sales and discounts on selected items. 

VKN Sivasamy & Son director Aditya Tandian said customer response is almost on par with last year’s, with some visitors coming from Sungai Petani, Kulim, Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, while about 10 to 15 per cent of customers made their purchases online. 

In PERLIS, V. Malarvizhi, 56, a vendor selling festive goods in Pauh, Arau, said customer response remains slow but is expected to pick up about a week before Deepavali, as people begin shopping for clothes, religious items and traditional delicacies. 

Malarvizhi, who has been in the business for more than 10 years, said most customers typically made their purchases in the final week before the festival, while she would make her own preparations three to four days before Deepavali. 

Colourful ‘saris’, ‘kurtas’ and festive accessories are among the goods attracting shoppers ahead of the Festival of Lights. — Bernama pic

In PAHANG, Dr S. Bavani, 43, from Kuantan, said her family’s preparations begin with purchasing traditional attire such as saris and kurtas, as well as preparing traditional delicacies, including murukku and sweets, to serve guests. 

The mother of two said cleaning and decorating the house with oil lamps and colourful ornaments are also part of the preparations to create a festive atmosphere. 

Meanwhile, in KELANTAN, the Hindu community in Kuala Krai and Tanah Merah is making modest preparations while maintaining traditions such as preparing festive delicacies, cleaning their homes and strengthening family and neighbourhood ties. 

Single mother of seven, R. Parvathy, 68, from Kuala Krai, said her children helped purchase traditional attire and other festive necessities, while she prepared murukku to be shared with family members and neighbours. 

Another Tanah Merah resident, S. Chandrakala, 40, said preparing traditional delicacies such as murukku and laddu with family members not only added to the festive cheer but also ensured that the heritage continued to be preserved by younger generations. — Bernama

Traditional Deepavali delicacies, including ‘murukku’, ‘laddu’ and ‘suji’, are among the popular purchases as families prepare for the celebrations. — Bernama pic