DeepaRaya - Catch up the Festive Spirit

I am sorry for delaying so long on my post in this blog. I have been busy lately.

Well, for many of us bloggers and also as Malaysians, we are not aware that this year's Deepavali and Hari Raya Aidilfitri (aka. DeepaRaya) will be the last until the year 2037 where this two festivals will meet again on Nov 5 and 8 respectively, 2038, October 27 and 29 respectively in 2038 and again the final one October 17 and 19 respectively in 2039.

Suria KLCC’s festive decorations feature icons that represent a particular celebration.

The last time Malaysians enjoyed Chinese New Year and Hari Raya together was for three years from 1996. That was the best Kongsi-Raya memories I have ever had in the past. When will it occur again?

Dr Chuah, an academic consultant to the Malaysian Geocosmic Centre of Yijing Metatime Research, said the next round of double festivity will come in 2029, when Malaysians will again see the occurrence of Chinese New Year and Hari Raya together.

In that year, according to his calculations, the two festivals would be celebrated together on Feb 13 and 14. What an auspicious way of celebrating Valentine's Day as well (Don't have to wait till that year lah... In the year 2010, 1st day of Chinese New Year is February 14, 2010 - the Year of the Tiger, which is also my year).

ARABIAN AMBIENCE: A pair of camels watching over shoppers at the entrance of Sunshine Square

WHEN two significant Malaysian festivals are celebrated in the same month, shopping complexes relish the chance to highlight local cultures and showcase creativity via their festive decorations. After all, it’s DeepaRaya again this year.

As you can see that most pictures here depicting festive moods in many parts of the shopping malls in the country hails from the Middle-Eastern theme.

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT: Gurney Plaza takes on a whole cosmic feel with its dazzling lights and twinkling star decor.

It is at this time of the year, my festive mood is being boost up during the festive seasons. Reasons why is because:

1) HOLIDAY !!! No college but gotto study for exams.....
2) Visiting lor...I can get duit raya from visiting my royalty friend (Yeah !!!)
3) Sure got many open houses for me to visit (not the country's National Open House lah but friends one lor...)
4) FOOD! FOOD! FOOD! Traditional kuih-muih & food as well...
5) I needed some break lah from college...Going Genting as well on 23rd Oct
6) if got more, I will add lah.....

Artist Yanti Mohd Ali putting the finishing touches on the giant peacock at Island Plaza.

Sunshine Wholesale Mart advertising and promotions manager Peter Chan said it took one month and about RM8,000 to give the concourse area an exotic Arabian am-bience.

As of at Gurney Plaza, no expense was spared to create a wonderful world of glittery stars. According to the complex's marketing communications manager Pauline Teh, some RM60,000 was spent on the DeepaRaya decorations.

Like Sunshine Square, the creative design team of Island Plaza in Tanjung Tokong also turned to the common elements of the dual festivities to plan their decor. Marketing and communications manager Desmond Gerard Kee said the theme for the decorations was 'Festive Shines'. It cost approximately RM12,000 to decorate the mall and organise various fun activities for our shoppers including the Pelita Painting Competition and Kegemilangan Tradisi Exhibition, Fashion Show and Cultural Demonstration.

The spirit of Raya is apparent in the decor and music at SACC Mall in Shah Alam.

As the festive seasons are around the corner right now, many places in Malaysia have geared up the last minute preparations. Care to share the moment? Do email me at wnka86@gmail.com

I will upload the pictures in different sets at random.