Deepavali, Murukku and Memories: The Tradition Behind Malaysia's Love for Kacang Putih

For many Malaysian Indian families, Deepavali preparations would not feel complete without stocking up on traditional snacks to welcome guests during the Festival of Lights.

From crispy murukku and tapioca chips to pakoda and an assortment of sweet treats, these familiar flavours have become an important part of festive gatherings, bringing families and friends together over food.

For P Ravi, 56, the tradition is worth travelling more than 200km for. Every year, he makes the journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kampung Kacang Putih in Buntong, Ipoh, to purchase traditional snacks for his family's Deepavali celebrations.

What began as a family preference has gradually become an annual tradition, with Ravi making the trip about a week before the festival to ensure his home is well stocked for visiting guests. He said the village's wide selection of snacks, together with their quality and affordable prices, keeps his family returning year after year.

"I leave Kuala Lumpur at around 7.30am, and it takes me more than two hours to get here. It is not a burden because this place has been my family's choice for the past six years," he told Bernama.

"We usually come here a week before the festival, and among our favourite items to serve guests are mixed murukku, plain murukku and tapioca chips."

The Melaka-born man usually allocates between RM500 and RM1,000 for his festive snack shopping, purchasing different varieties from several shops in the area. Beyond serving the snacks to guests, his family also packs them as gifts for relatives, neighbours and colleagues who visit their home during the festive season. For Ravi, the tradition goes beyond food, as it is also a meaningful way of maintaining relationships and strengthening bonds with the people around him.

"It has become a family tradition every time we celebrate the festival, as a way of strengthening ties with colleagues and neighbours," he said.

A similar appreciation for the tradition is shared by civil servant K Gaayathri, 30, who also makes an annual trip to Kampung Kacang Putih ahead of Deepavali. She said the variety of snacks and flavours available makes them a favourite among guests, which is why she never misses the opportunity to purchase them for the celebrations.

"That is why I never forget to get these snacks here. Deepavali celebrations just do not feel complete without such snacks being served to guests," she said.

While families look forward to their annual snack-shopping trips, the Deepavali season also brings a significant boost to businesses in Kampung Kacang Putih. DNS Kacang Putih manager S Sathis Kumar told Bernama that demand for snacks at his premises increases by about 60 per cent during the festive season compared with normal days. He said customers travel from different parts of the country and come from various ethnic backgrounds, with preparations beginning about two weeks before Deepavali to cater to the anticipated increase in demand.

"Usually, we start making preparations two weeks before Deepavali as we know demand will increase and customers will want to buy the various types of snacks sold here," he said.

Among the popular choices are spicy mixed murukku, kuih loyang, round murukku, kuih batu, as well as various traditional sweets and laddoo. Located in Buntong, Ipoh, Kampung Kacang Putih has been recognised for its extensive selection of kacang putih snacks and traditional delicacies for around 60 years. Many of its businesses have been passed down through three generations, preserving traditional recipes and attracting customers from different communities, particularly during festive seasons.

Visitors can find a wide range of savoury snacks, including mixed murukku, pakoda, sivel, dal, aulu, poori, Sri Lankan pakoda, omom, kadalai, kacang susu and tapioca chips. Although kacang putih is not a religious requirement of Deepavali, serving traditional snacks has become a familiar part of the celebrations for many Malaysian Indian households.

Deepavali is a time when families come together, visit relatives and welcome friends and neighbours into their homes. Food and refreshments are often prepared to make guests feel welcome, and traditional snacks are among the favourites served during these gatherings.

The variety of savoury and sweet treats also makes them convenient to share with visitors of different ages and backgrounds. Some families even prepare snack packets to give to relatives, neighbours and colleagues as a gesture of appreciation and goodwill.

Over the years, this practice has become more than simply preparing food for guests. It is also about preserving familiar tastes, passing down family traditions and creating memories that connect generations.

For families like Ravi's, the journey to Kampung Kacang Putih is therefore about much more than buying murukku or tapioca chips. It is about returning to a place that has become part of their Deepavali celebrations, one festive season at a time.

Source : Bernama