Deepavali in 2023 falls on November 12 (Sunday).
Deepavali is a festival celebrated by Hindus and is also a public holiday in Malaysia. The date of Deepavali is determined according to the Hindu lunar calendar, so the date of the festival on the Gregorian calendar varies every year.
In Hindu scriptures, there are various versions about the origin of Deepavali. One version is that the Lama returned to his throne after fourteen years of exile. The night of his return was particularly dark, and people in the city lit oil lamps in their homes to illuminate the Lama’s path to the throne.
Some believe that Deepavali is a festival for worshiping Laxmi, the Indian goddess of wealth. Therefore, believers light oil lamps at home so that Laxmi can find and bless them. During Deepavali, every household lights oil lamps. Therefore, Deepavali is also called the “Festival of Lights”. The more abstract meaning is that light (good) defeats darkness (evil).
On Deepavali, fellow Indians wake up before dawn to prepare for the festival. First, they perform a herbal oil bath ritual to cleanse the body and mind. Then, the whole family will pray at home, and some people will go to the local Hindu temple to worship.
Hindus decorate their houses with colorful paper lanterns and kulams on Deepavali. “Ghulam” is a criss-crossed, temporary floor totem painted with grains and colored flour.
In Malaysia, Deepavali customs include participating in fireworks displays, setting off firecrackers, giving pocket money to children (usually in purple or yellow envelopes) and sharing festive food with neighbors.
