exciting, colourful, and portray the spirit of unity and togetherness, despite the diversities of cultures and religions. In many ways these festivals have taken on a distinctly Malaysian flavour, as all races seem to participate in the festivities. Festivals are usually a time for family reunions and rejoicing with friends.
Moon Cake - Lantern Festival
This Chinese festival celebrates the victory of the Chinese in bringing about the demise of the Mongol overlords during the Yuan dynasty. It is associated with moon cakes, a pastry that is eaten during this period.
Known also as the mid-autumn festival which falls on the 15th day of the eighth Chinese Lunar
Calendar this is a historical festival rather than a religious one. It marks the successful rebellion
against the Mongol ruler dated back in 14th century China. Legend has indicated that the secret about a plot against the Mongolians was hidden inside the moon cake and the moon cake was distributed widely. Lanterns were used at night as signals from higher grounds and hilltop. Today, this festival is celebrated with moon cakes and lantern hanging on the house. The lantern and the moon cakes have attracted many children and adults attention. In certain areas, lantern processions and competitions are held.
Deepavali
Deepavali is also known as Diwali, or the Festival of Lights. Light is significant in Hinduism because it signifies goodness. So, during the Festival of Lights, 'deeps', or oil lamps are burned throughout the day and into the night to ward off darkness and evil. Diwali is celebrated on the last day of the last month of lunar calendar. There are various alleged origins attributed to this festival. Some hold that they celebrate the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. In Bengal, the festival is dedicated to the worship of Kali. It also commemorates that blessed day on which the triumphant Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. On this day also Sri Krishna killed the demon Narakasura.
In Malaysia, it is celebrated as the day the evil Narakasura was slain by Lord Krishna, the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. The mood starts a month beforehand with the preparation of the various arrays of Indian cookies such as murukku, ommapadi, chippi, atharasum, nei orundei and the wall breaker kallu orundei. Of course, there is the inevitable shopping and work to be done that requires everything to be new and clean, from curtains to clothes for family members. Normally on Deepavali eve, Padayai or offerings and prayers are made to ancestors and deceased family members. After this ceremony, the women are busy in the kitchen while the rest of the family does the house by hanging new curtains, placing new settee covers and the like to welcome Laxmi, the goddess of prosperity.
Getting up early before sunrise, oil is applied on heads and a bath is taken. This ritual oil bath is
known as "ganga-snanam" and is done to cleanse one of the impurities of the past year. Prayers areheld at the family altar, after which the family gathers before the elders to receive their blessings. Then the guests come by and food cooked is prepared "halal" or kosher so as to be served to Malay Muslims. Here again, the concept of open house is seen and an intermingling of friends of different races come by to greet a Happy Deepavali. It also is a great opportunity to dig in on some delicous Indian curry and cookies. Most Malaysian Indians are South Indian Hindus in origin. Here, even though Deepavali is known as the festival of lights, there are no oil lamps being lit. Rather it is usually done on another religious festival called Karthigal Villaku which comes about a month later.
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