18/10/2025

LYFE SATURDAY | OCT 18, 2025

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T HE heart of Deepavali lies not just in the lights that brighten our homes, but in the memories and journeys that lead us there. It is found in crowded kitchens, familiar laughter and long roads filled with anticipation. This year, three Malaysians – Sathiya, Presanna and Arvin – shared what returning home for the Festival of Lights means to them: stories of family, tradition and the joy of togetherness. Where light meets renewal Deepavali mornings begin in stillness and reflection. As the first rays of light break through, families rise early for the Ganga Snanam , the traditional oil bath believed to wash away the old and welcome renewal. “It’s said that the Ganga flows unseen through every home,” shared Sathiyakumari Poongawanam, 34, a civil servant from Putrajaya. The ritual is followed by the hum of kitchens coming alive – the aroma of curry, the glow of nei vilakku (oil lamps) and the laughter that fills every corner. “The house would smell of my mother’s chicken curry. By the time the lamps were lit, the whole neighbourhood would come alive with greetings and laughter,” Sathiya recalled. Traditions that bind generations Deepavali traditions often begin in the kitchen, where recipes and rituals are passed down like heirlooms. For Presanna Nair, 31, a Presanna with her husband and pet dog.

Arvin and his family.

Deepavali journeys: Stories of reunion, celebration

o Malaysians fondly reminisce about festive experiences from long, emotional trips to making murukku with family

gathering begins with one thing: the journey home. Across the highways and kampung roads, Malaysians travel miles to return to the people who make the festival whole. “No matter how far I go, that drive back feels emotional. It’s like returning to a place where my heart feels at ease,” said Sathiya. The journey itself becomes part of the celebration even when it comes with festive traffic. “Once, my trip home took twice as long. But the moment you step through the door and see your family, it’s all worth it,” said Presanna. And sometimes, the mishaps make the memories sweeter. “We once forgot our Deepavali clothes and had to turn back. But that’s what makes balik kampung stories so special, they’re part of the joy,” Arvin admitted. Across every story – whether it is Sathiya’s drive home to warmth, Presanna’s laughter in the kitchen or Arvin’s day of giving – one truth shines through: Deepavali is as much about the journey as it is the destination. Every mile travelled, every dish prepared, every shared smile becomes part of what makes the festival whole. This article is contributed by RedBus

miss being home in Kedah sometimes, but sharing our customs with my in-laws has become just as meaningful,” she added. Togetherness beyond home The meaning of Deepavali extends beyond family walls, it is also about community and giving back. In Sungai Siput, Arvin Raj, 31, remembers one Deepavali that captured that spirit perfectly. “All our relatives gathered at our ancestral temple. We cleaned it together and shared lunch with the

conference producer from Kulim, Kedah, the festival does not officially start until the murukku hits the oil. “When I was younger, my mum, aunts and grandmother would plan a day just for making murukku . We’d sit together for hours, shaping and frying them in batches. Till today, I will make sure to go home for that – it’s our tradition,” she said. Now, even as life evolves, those traditions adapt. “After getting married, my husband and I take turns celebrating in each other’s hometowns. I do

local community. That sense of connection is what Deepavali is really about,” he recalled. It is this collective warmth, the laughter of relatives, the aroma of home cooking, the spirit of togetherness that keep Deepavali’s light alive year after year. “Even though my grandparents are gone, their love still lights up our hearts every Deepavali,” Sathiya reflected. Journey that brings it all together Every tradition, every

Presanna’s family murukku -making session.

Sathiya during Deepavali.