Kuala lumpur: Temples across Malaysia glowed with lamps and chants early this morning as Hindus nationwide ushered in Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, with prayers, rituals, and gatherings that celebrated faith, family, and the triumph of good over evil.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the joyous occasion was marked by homes adorned with colorful kolams and flickering oil lamps, as Malaysians of all backgrounds joined in the festive cheer, a reflection of the nation’s unity in diversity. A BERNAMA visit to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves found thousands of devotees gathering as early as 6 am to perform prayers, bringing offerings of fruits and flowers to the deities in a gesture of thanksgiving.

For devotee K. Monissha, 26, from Subang Jaya, this year’s Deepavali holds special meaning as it is her first celebration with her husband after getting married last December. Monissha, a procurement executive, shared that according to Indian tradition, the first Deepavali after marriage is celebrated at the bride’s family home, complete with festive dishes, the giving of saris, and cash gifts to family members.

Another devotee, M. Mathesha, 26, a human resource executive from Selayang, expressed her gratitude for being able to celebrate Deepavali with all her siblings this year after several years of being tied down by work commitments. Besides local Hindu devotees, foreign tourists also took the opportunity to witness the festive atmosphere at the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple, which was packed with thousands of worshippers from early morning.

In Kedah, private sector employee S. Hemananthini, 32, was up as early as 6 am to prepare special dishes before heading to the Sri Siva Muniswarar Alayam Temple in Kulim to perform her prayers. For N. Darsyini, 41, met at the Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Temple in Alor Setar, this year’s Deepavali celebration was extra special as her four siblings, who live outside Kedah, returned to celebrate the festival at her home.

Meanwhile, in Selangor, accountant R. Visalini, 26, said she hopes this year’s Festival of Lights brings happiness to all devotees, as she looks forward to enjoying her mother’s cooking and visiting family members. In Kelantan, although Hindus form a minority in the state, the celebration was still filled with joy.

In Terengganu, despite the Indian community being a minority, the festive spirit was still felt, with the Sri Kailasa Nathar Alayam Temple in Kuala Terengganu serving as the main venue for religious rituals. In Negeri Sembilan, the state’s oldest temple, Sri Bala Thandayuthapani Temple on Jalan Yam Tuan, Seremban, drew about 5,000 Hindu devotees from as early as 7 am.

In Perlis, treasurer of the Arulmigu Arumugaswamy Dhevasthanam Temple in Kangar, M. Ashok Kumar, said the temple also provided meals for devotees attending prayers today. In Johor, the 114-year-old Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam Temple drew about 3,000 Hindu devotees as early as 6 am.

Meanwhile, in Pahang, the atmosphere at the Sri Mariamman Temple in Kuantan was lively with devotees performing prayers, while in Melaka, hundreds of Hindu devotees thronged the Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple in Bukit Beruang from as early as 7 am. In Perak, an estimated 10,000 devotees visited the Kallumalai Arulmigu Subramaniar Temple at Gunung Cheroh, Ipoh, from as early as 6 am to perform religious rites.

In Penang, the early morning rain did not dampen the spirit of Hindu devotees, who flocked to the Muniswarar Temple along Jalan Baru in Perai and the Arulmigu Karumariamman Temple in Seberang Jaya on the mainland for prayers. Checks by BERNAMA found the temples vibrant with color as families dressed in traditional Indian attire and carrying flowers, milk, and trays of offerings.

In Sabah, about 1,000 devotees attended prayers at the Sri Pasupathinath Alayam Temple in Kota Kinabalu from as early as 8 am. Temple president Datuk Dr. K. Mathavan said the celebration was even more festive this year with the presence of the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Musa Aman, reflecting the spirit of unity among Malaysia’s multiracial community.