As Malaysians prepare to celebrate Deepavali, redBus is shining a light on the journeys that bring families together. Through it’s Deepavali Journeys: Stories of Reunion and Celebration campaign, the company highlights how the festival’s spirit lives not only in light and festivity, but in the people, places, and traditions that define the journey home.
The campaign features three Malaysians, Sathiyakumari Poongawanam, Presanna Nair, and Arvin Raj, each sharing their personal reflections on what returning home for the Festival of Lights means to them.
Traditions and Togetherness
For 34-years-old civil servant Sathiyakumar from Putrajaya, Deepavali mornings begin with stillness and renewal.
“It’s said that the Ganga flows unseen through every home”. Her fondest memories lie in the family kitchen, where her mother’s chicken curry simmered as lamps were lit and neighbours exchanged greetings. The house would smell of my mother’s chicken curry,” Sathiya recalls. “By the time the lamps were lit, the whole neighbourhood would come alive with greetings and laughter.”
For Kulim-born conference producer Presanna Nair, 31, Deepavali is inseparable from the smell of murukku frying in hot oil.
”When I was younger, my mom, aunts, and grandmother would plan a day just for making murukku,” she says. “We’d sit together for hours, shaping and frying them in batches. Till today, I will make sure to go home for that; it’s our tradition.”
Now married, Presenna balances celebrations between her and her husband’s families.
“After getting married, my husband and I take turns celebrating in each other’s hometowns,” she adds. “I do miss being home in Kedah sometimes, but sharing our customs with my in-laws has become just as meaningful.
Community and Connection
For Arvin Raj, 31, from Sungai Siput, Deepavali is also about community spirit.
“All our relatives gathered at our ancestral temple,” he recalls. “We cleaned it together and shared lunch with the local community. That sense of connection is what Deepavali is really about.”
Even as time passes, these traditions continue to bind families across generations. “Even though my grandparents are gone,” Sathiya reflects, “their love still lights up our hearts every Deepavali.”
Journeys That Matter
Beyond customs and celebrations, the journey home itself remains central to the festival.“No matter how far I go, that drive back feels emotional,” says Sathiya. “It’s like returning to a place where my heart feels at ease.”
For Presenna, even festive traffic becomes part of the joy.
“Once, my trip home took twice as long,” said Presanna. “But the moment you step through the door and see your family, it’s all worth it.”
Arvin recalls a funny experience he had. “ We once forgot our Deepavali clothes and had to turn back,” Arvin admits. “But that’s what makes balik kampung stories so special, they’re part of the joy.”
Through these stories, redBus captures the essence of Deepavali as a celebration of reunion, reflection, and resistance. To make festive travel easier, the company is also offering passengers 30% off and 30% cashback with the promo code CPREDBUS.
As families across Malaysia prepare to reunite under the glow of Deepavali lamps, these stories serve as a reminder that the journey home is often where the celebration truly begins. Whether through the familiar scent of festive dishes or the long drives back to one’s roots. Deepavali continues to be a time of warmth, reflection, and connection. And for countless Malaysians every mile travelled home becomes part of the festival’s enduring light.
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