KLANG: Hindu devotees are braving the rain to finish their Deepavali shopping at Klang’s Little India ahead of the celebrations on Nov 8.
A Bernama survey today found the enclave, which is home to more than 100 shops, crowded with shoppers buying clothes, jewellery, food and prayer items for the Festival of Lights.
Many visitors also spent the weekend exploring the commercial district with their families, while traders offered discounts.
Engineer S. Meiyarasan, 28, said his family had opted for last-minute shopping while keeping an eye on Klang’s weather, which usually brings afternoon downpours.
“Living in Puchong, I check weather updates before travelling anywhere because of the ongoing northeast monsoon season.
“This helps ensure our shopping trip for festive essentials, especially clothes and food, goes smoothly. There is also a wide variety of items at reasonable prices here,” he said.
S. Kalaiselvi, 55, described the area as a one-stop destination for Deepavali preparations, saying shopping there had been a family tradition for 20 years. She preferred shopping in person to buying online.
“I prefer shopping in person so I can check the quality and material, especially for festive attire such as sarees and dhotis for the family.
“Rain may cause some inconvenience, but completing our preparations is important for a festival celebrated only once a year,” said the mother of two.
Sri Kumaran Textile owner N. Ravi Chandran, 62, said his store had extended its opening hours until midnight to cater to high customer demand, despite afternoon rain.
“Mornings are usually clear or hot, but afternoon rain means we have to keep the shop open until midnight. Nearly 2,000 customers visit, particularly at weekends.
“The festive atmosphere in the final week before Deepavali has become lively, with discounts ranging from 30 to 50 per cent. We have 35 staff members to manage the demand,” he said.
Former factory worker M. Sarkunan, 66, said Klang’s Little India had long been his preferred shopping destination because of its affordable prices, particularly for B40 households buying clothes and festive treats such as murukku and suji biscuits.
“Prices here are more than 10 per cent cheaper, which helps me save before I return to celebrate at my child’s house in Kulim, Kedah,” said the grandfather of two from Kapar.— BERNAMA