5,000 Visitors Expected To Enliven National-Level Deepavali Celebration On Nov 14

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- About 5,000 visitors from all walks of life are expected to attend the 2026 National-Level Deepavali Celebration, which will be held at Little India, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, on Nov 14.

Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the celebration, themed 'The Light of Deepavali: Fostering Unity' is organised by the Ministry of National Unity (KPN) in collaboration with the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI).

He added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate the event, which will take place from 8 am to 11.30 pm.

"Deepavali is one of the festivals that showcases the beauty and richness of the cultural heritage of the Malaysian community.

"Traditions such as creating *kolam* (decorative floor art), lighting oil lamps, preparing traditional delicacies, as well as the practice of hosting 'open houses' and visiting one another, do not merely add vibrancy to the celebration, they also serve as a means to strengthen the spirit of neighbourliness and the bonds between people of various ethnic backgrounds," he said in a statement today.

Aaron noted that a variety of engaging activities have been prepared, including cultural performances and traditional Indian dances, recitals of classical musical instruments such as the *Veenai* and *Mridangam*, demonstrations of martial arts like *Silambam*, *Kalaripayattu*, and *Karra Samu*, as well as a fashion show.

He added that the celebration will also feature a 'Rumah KAMI' (Our Home) pavilion, which highlights the diverse heritage and traditions of the Malay, Chinese, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Gujarati, and Malayalee communities.

Furthermore, the event will be enlivened by performances from local artists and singers, including Yogi B and Natchatra, Buggimaan, Havoc Brothers, Zubir Khan, Gayathri Thandapany, Kashmir Stone, and Kumaresh.

Aaron said Deepavali is not merely a religious celebration, in fact it also creates an opportunity for people of different ethnicities to get to know, understand, and respect each other's unique qualities.

"It is this spirit that must continue to be strengthened in our efforts to build a united nation, one that possesses a distinct national identity and is rooted in the values ​​of togetherness.

"Let us continue to embrace our diversity as a source of strength, our heritage as a point of pride, and unity as the foundation for nation-building," he said.

-- BERNAMA