Travel Guide to The Festival of Lights in Selangor

The Festival of Lights is a significant religious festival for all Hindus at this time of year. Deepavali is a day when families celebrate the victory of, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. However, nothing beats the joy of purchasing new clothes and decorations or eating out to round off Deepavali. In this article, you will find six great places to visit for Deepavali in Selangor!

Little India, Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang

Klang’s Little India offers everything from fabrics, garlands of fresh flowers, jewellery, to food. This bustling road has a lot to offer, even on a typical day. 

There are abundant selections of beautiful jewellery and exquisite sarees made locally and imported from India for you to choose from to  make your brand-new outfits memorable, for the occasion.

Walking around on an empty stomach is never a good idea; luckily, there are many delicacies for you to enjoy while you shop. The best part about Little India in Klang the bazaar is open every day starting from 11 am and lasts till the eve of Deepavali. So, head over there and get your Deepavali checklist completed!

Jalan Welman, Rawang 

Do not be surprised, but Rawang has its own Little India located at Jalan Welman. It may not be as lively as other Little India, but it does have a variety of shops for you to buy beautifully designed sarees and accessories for your upcoming Deepavali celebration. Looking for flower garlands, prayers and altar items? Just drive to Jalan Welman and look for the many shops that sell them.

Just like any other Little India, there are restaurants available serving your classic Indian dishes for you to enjoy before or after the shopping spree. Instead of coming all the way to Klang, locals from Selayang, Serendah and Batang Kali can just go to Rawang and shop for their festival essentials.

Sri Shakti Temple

You may drive to this wonderfully built temple if you want to learn more about Hindu culture and religion. Located at Bukit Rotan, Kuala Selangor, The Sri Shakti Temple was carefully erected in accordance with ancient writings or scriptures such as the Vedas, Agamas, and Sirpa (architectural) Sastras.

Painted in a single colour, the shrine’s intricate carvings seem to stand out and appear more beautiful than your usual colourful temples. In Light of Deepavali, the Sri Shakti Temple is a must-visit place to fully immerse yourself in the religion and appreciate the legacy of the Hindu community as well as be proud of their heritage. Just be sure to dress appropriately and respect it as a holy site.

Batu Caves

Batu Caves is one of the most prominent landmarks in Malaysia, along with its iconic golden statue by the long colourful stairs towards the temple inside the caves. While the hills are huge and beautiful, what makes them unique is that they are home to one of the largest and most prominent Hindu sanctuaries outside of India. It has always been a sacred place of worship for Hindus, yet it has also become a tourist attraction, with more than thousands of visitors, especially during festive seasons, such as Deepavali and Thaipusam.

Aside from Sri Shakti Temple, you may also visit Batu Caves to be captivated by the colourful celebration attire and religious rites performed by devotees. You may appreciate the natural ecology on site by looking at the rock formations, resident bats, and possibly even a trapdoor spider within the caverns, in addition to religious activities.

Yap Kee Banana Leaf, Klang

What better way to anticipate Deepavali celebration than to indulge yourself in an infamous Indian dish, banana leaf rice. It is a very popular dish from South India and heavily enjoyed by Malaysians, where white rice is served on heated banana leaf, along with delicious side dishes, such as mutton curry or turmeric cabbage. Better yet, try Yap Kee Banana Leaf, Klang.

A few walks away from Klang’s commuter station, Yap Kee Banana Leaf is a 98-year-old Kopitiam, run by a Chinese man that also serves some of the well-recognized banana leaf rice in Malaysia. Expect traffic at the restaurant during lunch hour as it will get crowded for how cheap the whole plate costs. Choices also include classic Chinese Kopitiam drinks so if you are looking to enjoy this humble meal, head over to Yap Kee Banana Leaf.

Restaurant Saravanaa Bhavan, Petaling Jaya

Worry not for all the vegans out there because this one is for you. If you are looking to enjoy Indian cuisines that are best suited for your no-meat preferences, visit Restaurant Saravanaa Bhavan. Located at Petaling Jaya, this vegan restaurant is a great choice for non-meat eaters, with a wide range of menus, including banana leaf rice, dosa, and countless tasty Indian desserts for you to choose from.

They even have Chinese-inspired Indian dishes for those who want something different than classic Indian cuisine. The restaurant itself also provides a cosy and spacious environment, so you can bring your entire family if they are visiting for Deepavali. This restaurant also serves dairy for vegetarians, but you can always request the staff to swap them out.  

Closing

If you are inviting family over for the Deepavali celebration, these places are a great way to spend time together during the Festival of Lights. Be it shopping for your mother’s new saree, or buying flower garlands for house decoration, or feeding your father some of the best Indian dishes out there, and even teaching your kids to appreciate their culture, it sure is a wholesome day for the whole family.

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