{
  "id": 18719917,
  "title": "More than new clothes and sweets, Deepavali is about family and tradition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/more-than-new-clothes-and-sweets-deepavali-is-about-family-and-18719917",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/11/07/more-than-new-clothes-and-sweets-deepavali-is-about-family-and-tradition/242355"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, holds significance beyond the acquisition of new garments and confectionery in Singapore. For 65-year-old P. Parvathy of Sengkang, the annual pilgrimage to Johor Bahru for Deepavali essentials serves as an opportunity to reunite with relatives and peruse a diverse array of decorative items for the home.\n\nParvathy's preparations commence on the eve of the festival, with traditional delicacies prepared for consumption alongside family and guests. Upon awakening at 5am on Deepavali morning, the entire family partakes in a ritual of bathing, prayers, and a customary breakfast of thosai before welcoming relatives and friends.\n\nK. Kalaivani, a 40-year-old housewife from Pasir Gudang, finds this year's Deepavali particularly meaningful, as her family will conduct a religious ceremony to mark her daughter's coming of age. In addition to procuring traditional attire for family members, Kalaivani has purchased flowers for the religious service and various other provisions.\n\nTraditional snack vendor Renuka, 34, offers over 50 types of biscuits and savory snacks tailored to Deepavali celebrations. Her goods, available for purchase more than 15 days prior to the festival, cater to a wide range of preferences, from tarts and suji to murukku, with pricing ranging from RM35 per jar to RM120 for a promotional bundle of four jars.",
  "summary": "JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 7 — Deepavali celebrations are not just about wearing new attire and preparing an array of tradit...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}