You can meet the King and Queen of Malaysia personally. This is your chance to shake hands with them, as well as take pictures at the Istana Negara.

Malaysians have this great tradition which is called "open-house", a warm showing of what is known as Malaysian hospitality.

It does not even matter if you do not know your hosts! Just wish them ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ and enjoy the glorious feast prepared for this celebration.

Dress code for those who wish to pay their respects to the King and the Prime Minister is either formal, smart casual or long-sleeved batik.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is the most joyful of Muslim celebrations celebrated after Ramadhan, the fasting month.

This is also the time when Muslims working in the towns and cities make an exodus for their kampung or villages.

Special prayers are held in mosques and it is a season when Muslims ask for forgiveness from their family members and friends.

Muslims will be dressed in new traditional clothes on this special day.

* Celebration lasts for 15 days beginning from the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar.

* A visit to the temple to seek the blessings of the God of Prosperity - giving of 'ang pow' or red packets - money by parents to their children - among relatives - well wishers.

* Giving away of mandarin oranges is intended as a symbol of prosperity and good luck for the recipients.

* Another feature is a traditional lion dance.

• Open houses are also held during this happy celebration.

• Red is the colour of the day.

• Red is most auspicious because it symbolises luck and prosperity.

• Don't wear black because it is usually associated with mourning.

☻Deepavali is celebrated universally by Hindus and is observed as a public holiday in Malaysia.

☻This festival falls between the month of October and November, the fourteenth day of the Tamil month of Aipasi.

☻It is also known to many as the Festival of Lights.

☻The word “Deepavali” derives from the combination of the words ‘Dipa’ and ‘Gavali’, the former meaning ‘light’ and the latter meaning ‘a row’.

☻Thus symbolizing the rows of lights that can be seen at the houses of Hindu celebrants.  

☻As light dispels darkness, this festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

☻At the dawn of Deepavali, Hindus perform the ritual oil bath which signifies a cleansing of the body and soul.

☻Following this symbolic rite in purification which marks a new beginning, devotees visit the temple where shrines of Hindu deities are encircled with flower garlands.

©The birth of Christ is celebrated here on 25th December every year.

© While their western counterparts regard Christmas more as a family affair, Malaysian Christians hold open houses for their friends and relatives.

© There is much joy and gaiety as Christians celebrate the birth of Christ with parties, carolling and evening mass.

© Streets, hotels and shopping complexes are decorated with brilliant lights and ornaments to create a yuletide atmosphere - the Malaysian way.

© The spirit of giving extends beyond homes and individuals as hotels, shopping complexes and corporate companies hold concerts and shows as well as organise charity drives.

Θ Wesak Day is celebrated throughout the world to commemorate and honor the Birthday of Lord Buddha.

Θ The birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.

Θ Celebrations begin before dawn in temples throughout the country.

Θ Buddhist devotees will gather in temples throughout the country to release doves and to offer prayers.

Θ Wesak is also an occasion to offer alms to monks and give free meals to the needy.

Wesak Day Celebration - 19 May 2008

Lord

BuddhaΘ Buddhists observe the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha.

Θ Religious offerings and rituals such as 'bathing of the Buddha', chanting of holy scriptures, lighting of joss sticks and ordination of monks usually take place in Buddhist temples.

۩ Celebrated on the 10th month of the Hindu calendar, Thaipusam, which falls in January or February each year, is a day of penance and thanksgiving for Hindus. ۩ The festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Muruga and Hindus believe that sins can be cleansed during Thaipusam.

۩ Many devotees carry 'kavadis' - ornate frames supported by metal spikes and hooks inserted into their bodies- without blood being let.

۩ Thousands of fresh coconuts are also smashed along the route of the procession.

۩ Many who take part in the festival prepare themselves by cleansing their bodies through fasting and abstinence, usually observing a vegetarian diet for a certain period of time.

۩ On the eve of the festival, the image of Lord Muruga, on a be jewelled silver chariot, is pull along by 2 bulls.

۩ As the traditional abode of Lord Muruga is a hill or mountain, in Kuala Lumpur this grand procession culminates at Batu Caves where many devotees carry the image of Lord Muruga up 272 steps to the temple cave.

• MENGUNJUNG KE TEMPAT IBADAT MASING-MASING

PADA PAGI PERAYAAN MASING-MASING

• MENGADAKAN RUMAH TERBUKA

• DIANGGAP SEBAGAI HARI YANG MULIA

OLEH SETIAP KAUM

PERBEZAAN MELAYU CINA INDIA

PAKAIAN BAJU MELAYU & BAJU KURUNG

SHIONG SHAM DHOTI & SAREE

MAKANAN KETUPAT LEMANG

BUAH MANDARIN

MURUKKU

BULAN SYAWAL FEBRUARY AIPASI

MAKSUD DIRAIKAN SEMPENA AKHIRNYA BULAN RAMADHAN.

MENYAMBUT DENGAN HARAPAN LAHIRNYA NASIB BAIK.

MENGELAKKAN KEGELAPAN DAN MENYAMBUT KECERAHAN DALAM HIDUP.