METhe Deepavali Open House will be held at KL Sentral parking lot in Jalan Tun Sambathan, Brickfield in Kuala Lumpur on 11 November 2007 starting from 10 am to 6 pm midnight.

Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will officiate the event. Other dignitaries who are expected to attend this auspicious event include the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, YB Dato' Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, other members of the cabinet and foreign ambassadors.

The Deepavali Open House welcomes Malaysians of all races and foreign tourists for an exciting day of non-stop food and entertainment. Visitors to the event will also have the opportunity to witness the Indian welcome ritual.

The morning festivities will start at 10am where there will be a cooking demonstration and Kolam (a decorative artwork drawn with rice flours on the floor in front of houses) and craft competitions. There are also exhibitions on traditional Indian food, dresses and wedding.

The afternoon celebrations include performances by popular Malaysian artistes and various local cultural groups.The event is organised by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage.

Every year, Hindus all around the world celebrate Deepavali during the seventh month of the Tamil lunar calendar. The festival symbolises the triumph of good over evil when, according to one legend, Lord Krishna defeated the evil King Narakasura.

Deepavali, which means "Row of Lights" in Sanskrit, is celebrated by Hindus who light oil lamps in their homes as a victorious symbol of light over darkness.

For more information, please contact :-
Mr. Shahrul Nizam Jamaludin / Ms Shahrina Shahbudin
Media and Corporate Communications
Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage
Tel: 03-2612 7620 / 03-2612 8310
Website: http://www.heritage.gov.my

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Issued by: Advertising and Publicity Division, Tourism Malaysia
Contact: Siti Rahmah at (603) 2615 8188 or email sitirahmah@tourism.gov.my
Date: 5 November 2007