The Deepavali Celebration
In Malaysia, Diwali is known as "Hari Deepavali," and is celebrated during the seventh month of the Hindu solar calendar. It is a federal public day. In many respects it resembles the traditions followed in the Indian subcontinent, with a few differences: like the Chinese community, Malaysian-born Indians also give out “ang pows” (packets filled with money) as gifts to children and youth during Deepavali, many also hold “open houses”, where friends and neighbours of different races are invited to celebrate together at their homes.