Month of September and October 2009

The Month of September is a month of celebrations and festivals in Penang

3rd September - Hungry Gost Festival

The festival, which started on Aug 20 and ends this Friday, is celebrated by Chinese the world over. In Malaysia, the Chinese, notably those from the Hokkien community, celebrate this festival in a big way. The 14th day of the seventh lunar month (which this year fell on Sept 2) is especially important as it is widely believed that the gates of hell are opened and the dead are allowed to roam the earth on this day......read more at the star : Hell-bent on pleasing the dead

(more about other Chinese Festivals and Celebrations)

20-21 September - Hari Raya Adilfitri

This is the first day of the month following Ramadan (a month of fasting and abstinence for Muslims). The celebration begins after sunset on the 29th day of Ramadan when Muslims break their daily fast. If the crescent appears, the next day is declared Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

17 October - Deepavali

Deepavali (or Diwali) is the Festival of Lights which celebrated during the 7th month of the Hindu calendar (usually October or November). Hindus adorn their homes with dozens of lights or oil lamps, called vikku, to signify the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It is celebrated as the day the evil Narakasura was slain by Lord Krishna.

more about Religious Observations in Malaysia HERE