Deepavali: Lighting up homes, hearts and communities

KUALA LUMPUR - Deepavali, derived from the Tamil words ‘Deepam’ (oil lamp) and ‘Awali’ (array), celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, rooted in rituals that highlight gratitude, unity, and spiritual cleansing.

Malaysia Hindudharma Maamandram President A. Radhakrishnan shares insights on celebrating this sacred day with reverence and tradition.

"The rows of oil lamps symbolise the journey from darkness to light, a reminder to cast aside arrogance, jealousy, and ego-qualities that represent inner darkness. Dispel these to achieve spiritual clarity,” he told Bernama.

Radhakrishnan said preparations begin on the eve of Deepavali on Wednesday, with customs honouring the family’s Kula Deivam (clan deity) and inviting ancestral blessings. Families gather at 7.30pm for a ceremony, lighting a lamp facing south to seek blessings from their ancestors.

"To welcome Sri Maha Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) into the home in the form of light, place a small table in the courtyard. Cover it with a clean cloth, adorn it with decorated kuttu vilakku (traditional standing lamps) and flowers, along with a tray of fruits, betel leaves and areca nuts (vetrilai pakku), sandalwood paste (santhanam), vermilion (kungkumam), and a bowl of gingelly oil to be used the next morning,” he said.

Once the preparations are complete, families light the kuttu vilakku and place lamps around the home to dispel darkness and invite blessings. Before bedtime, these lamps are moved to the pooja room or a designated area, leaving one side of the kuttu vilakku lit to preserve the light for the early morning rituals.

On Deepavali morning, known as Ganga Snaanam, families start with a sacred oil bath, symbolising the blessings of the Ganges River. This ritual, observed during Brahma Muhurtham, an auspicious time ending at 5.27am, involves family members rising early, washing their hands and feet, and lighting all five faces of the kuttu vilakku from the night before.

"A family member should light the lamps and offer prayers to Goddess Mahalakshmi, believed to manifest in the kuttu vilakku,” said Radhakrishnan, adding that the fruits, betel leaves, sandal paste, and gingelly oil arranged the previous night should be dedicated to Lakshmi Narayanan, a form of Lord Vishnu.

The ritual continues as family members apply gingelly oil, symbolising Mahalakshmi, to each other’s heads, followed by a cleansing bath with warm water to represent Ganga Devi.

After the oil bath, family members gather in prayer, presenting new clothes, sweets, and fruits before an image of Lord Krishna or a Poorna Kumbam (sacred pot). Elders bless the younger family members, who bow and receive their new clothes, lightly dusted with turmeric for auspiciousness.

Meanwhile, Hindu Sangam President T. Ganesan explained that after home prayers, families traditionally visit temples in their new attire to worship and give thanks.

"Temple visits allow families to share greetings with fellow devotees, extending Deepavali’s warmth and goodwill throughout the community,” he said.

He encouraged families to invite friends and relatives for a festive feast, sharing blessings and joy.

"Deepavali celebrates purity and goodness, prompting us to reflect on our actions and intentions. To honour the festival’s sanctity, I recommend avoiding meat and alcohol,” he advised.

He also reminded families to exercise caution on the roads, especially for those visiting loved ones over long distances.

Highlighting the festival’s essence, he urged families to spread light through acts of kindness, encouraging visits to orphanages, elderly care homes, and shelters for people with disabilities. Charitable contributions, he noted, deepen the spirit of giving.

"The spirit of Deepavali is not just about lighting lamps; it’s about bringing light into the lives of those around us,” he said, encouraging families to bridge relationship gaps by forgiving past grievances.

As Malaysians prepare for this significant festival, the message serves as a reminder of Deepavali’s deeper meaning, guiding celebrants to blend tradition with unity and compassion, fostering peace, prosperity, and lasting happiness. - BERNAMA