KUALA LUMPUR: With Deepavali tomorrow, Malaysian Indians embraced the festive spirit, make their final preparations with last-minute shopping.
Celebrants interviewed by the New Straits Times expressed their excitement about gathering items to make this Deepavali special, despite their busy schedules, as they shopped in Brickfields today.
MediKasih Sdn Bhd managing director Nicholas Thinesh, 39, said that the last-minute shopping was due to the busy schedules he and his wife face as working parents, especially with a newborn.
"We finally got a day off before the celebration to pick up a few items before heading to our hometown.
"Deepavali brings to mind the food and fireworks, and this year is going to be extra special as we have a newborn in the family. I'm looking forward to the family gathering, especially since it will be my son's first Deepavali," said Thinesh.
Freelance accountant Rebecca Rasiah, 57, said her last-minute shopping was due to time constraints, though she noted that prices tend to be slightly better and open to bargaining at this time.
Running her own business, she prioritised setting aside time for shopping today.
Rasiah said she visits Brickfields to pick up cookies and clothes for Deepavali, excited to explore the different clothing options for the season at favourable prices.
She added that managing last-minute shopping requires planning, so she made sure to start early.
Legal consultant Pavithrah Sambu, 27, said that a lack of planning and workload brought her to shop at the last minute for final items like flowers, earrings, and decorations.
"I'm so excited to enjoy the food and collect ang pao for Deepavali this year," she said.
Trainer Yashwini Chandran, 30, similarly noted that her work shifts left her little time for Deepavali shopping until now. She was in Brickfields to pick up essentials for her traditional attire and cooking, focusing only on the most important items.
Meanwhile, banker Narmadha Murali, 63, said she visits Brickfields to pick up flowers, mango leaves, and festive 'thoranam' (festoons), while enjoying the vibrant traditional music, 'kolam' decorations, and mehndi (henna) designs that make Deepavali feel unique.
"I arrived in Brickfields early this morning, and despite the usual challenge of finding parking, I managed to get here just fine," she said.
Henna artist Dr Thilagavathi, 41, said that last-minute shopping often brings good discounts, which is especially helpful for busy professionals like herself, who can only shop when free, despite the commitment of caring for her 5-year-old child.
"This is the time to grab fresh items, and I'm also looking for firecrackers and discounts on banana leaves," she added.
Additionally, many Malaysian Indians gathered in Brickfields, shopping for last-minute items such as clothes, decorations, oil lamps, and food, with some having henna applied under canopies.
Traffic congestion grew heavier as more people parked along the roadside for shopping, while music blared from shops along the streets of Little India, creating a lively Deepavali atmosphere.