Light over darkness: abundant prayers, blessings illuminate Deepavali morning
Devotees at Shah Alam’s Sri Maha Mariamman temple rise early ahead of festivities
Updated 3 years ago · Published on 24 Oct 2022 3:56PM
Hindu devotees mark Deepavali, the Festival of Lights today, with prayers at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Shah Alam in the morning before gathering at home for food and family time. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, October 24, 2022
by Sairien Nafis
KUALA LUMPUR – Hindu devotees marked Deepavali, the Festival of Lights today, with prayers at the temple in the morning before gathering at home for food and family time.
At the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Shah Alam, devotees arrived early, even in the slight morning drizzle, to present offerings and receive blessings from priests for their children and loved ones.
An important part of the festival is the lighting of clay lamps to signify the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
The Vibes’ photographer SAIRIEN NAFIS was at the temple in Shah Alam this morning to capture the colour and vibrancy of Hinduism’s most important festival. – The Vibes, October 24, 2022
Devotees arriving early at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Shah Alam. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, October 24, 2022A devotee touches the floor of the doorway at the temple entrance as a sign of respect. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, October 24, 2022A father seeks blessings from a temple priest for his son. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, October 24, 2022Another child is brought by his mother to the temple for blessings. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, October 24, 2022Devotees light clay lamps to signify Deepavali’s message, which is the triumph of good over evil. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, October 24, 2022Deepavali’s origins and significance may vary by tradition, but all contain the common thread of good triumphing over evil. In the Hindu epic Ramayana, for example, Lord Rama of Ayuthya’s return after exile was celebrated with firecrackers and clay lamps, both of which have since become an integral part of the auspicious day’s festivities. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, October 24, 2022A tray full of important symbols is presented at the temple: a lamp for blessings, flowers as an offering to the gods, money for tithes to the temple priests, and holy ash to be placed on devotees in return. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, October 24, 2022A man praying next to a statue of a five-headed cobra, another important symbol in Hinduism. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, October 24, 2022Devotees milling outside the temple entrance, looking forward to a day of festivities with loved ones after religious rites at the temple are done. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, October 24, 2022
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