Food and Malaysians are a match made in heaven. That is the common sentiment echoed by many, which makes perfect sense when you see all the amazing food Malaysia has to offer. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims partake in a month-long fasting period, fasting from dawn till the sun sets. After fasting from food (and water!) for the entire day, a well deserved meal at sunset is certainly a must. This can be found at the many Ramadan Bazaars around, a must-visit during the fasting month. 

    When Ramadan is over, Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Eid is celebrated, a festival marking the end of fasting that celebrates the spirit of togetherness. Of course, lots of mouth-watering food is involved too. Let’s take a look at all the delicious treats available during Ramadan Bazaars and Hari Raya celebrations!

    As for dessert, you can look forward to snacks such as kuih kapit. One of the classics, it has a light, crispy texture and a subtle sweet taste that is ideal after a heavy meal.

    For something richer, try dodol, a chewy sweet made from gula melaka. Traditionally, this dessert is made by stirring for hours on end. In fact, it is said to bring the family together due to the communal effort required to cook this dish. Lastly, we have biskut sarang semut (ant nest cookies). This is a popular choice for its chocolatey taste and crunchy texture. It gets its name from its unique appearance which resembles ants and their nests.

    No matter what you are craving, the wide selection of yummy delights you can find during Ramadan and Raya will have something to leave you satisfied. From traditional to modern, there is something for everyone to try out. Whether it is your first time trying out Ramadan and Raya cuisine, or you are a local Malaysian anticipating your favourite foods to come back in season, you won't be disappointed by the amazing selection in store. So get out there and explore! You might find your new favourite dish somewhere on this list or beyond!

To all our Muslim friends, have a blessed Ramadan and a joyful Raya celebration!

When we think about Valentine’s Day, the usual things that come to mind are bouquets of roses, heart-shaped chocolates, and candlelit dinners. But love is a universal language, and every part of the world has its own way of saying ‘I love you’. Around the world, this day of love comes with its own unique customs and twists. Curious to know more? Let’s take a trip around the globe to discover some of the love traditions out there!

Japan
Unlike the usual stigma of men showering their partners with gifts, it's the ladies who take charge on 14 February in Japan! Yes, that’s right — women are the ones who give chocolates to their partners, but with a sweet twist. Every type of chocolate has a different meaning. Honmei-choco (true-feeling chocolate) is handmade and reserved for romantic partners, crushes, and husbands. Then there’s Giri-choco (obligation chocolate), given as a polite gesture to male colleagues or friends, and Tomo-choco (Friendship chocolate), exchanged between friends. But here's the catch—men don’t just receive these chocolates. They’re expected to return the favour on March 14, known as White Day. Traditionally, the return gift should be three times the value of what they received, often in the form of chocolates, jewelry, or other thoughtful presents.

Ghana
While Japan’s Valentine’s day is all about gifting chocolates, Ghana takes it a step further by dedicating the entire day to celebrating cocoa. As one of the top cocoa producers in the world, Ghana officially declared February 14 as National Chocolate Day in 2005. Instead of focusing solely on romantic gestures, the day promotes the local cocoa industry and encourages people to enjoy Ghanaian-made chocolate products. The celebration is filled with chocolate-themed events, festivals, and special menus featuring cocoa-infused treats. Couples exchange Ghanaian chocolate as a symbol of love and national pride, blending sweet treats with celebration and culture. 

Denmark
In Denmark, The Danes send playful love notes called Gaekkebrev. This translates to “joke letter” or “misleading letter”. The sender writes a light-hearted, humorous poem on folded paper that’s cut to reveal beautiful patterns when unfolded. But here comes the mysterious twist — the sender doesn’t sign the letter with their name. Instead, they sign the letter with a series of dots representing each letter of their name! If the recipient guesses the sender correctly, they may receive an Easter egg on Easter Sunday. Alongside the secret admirer tradition, The Danes also exchange the delicate snowdrops instead of the usual roses, thanks to an European legend. Legend has it that when snow first fell, it searched for a color to call its own. Among all the flowers, only the snowdrop was willing to share its pure white hue. Since then, the two have remained close companions, with snow sheltering the delicate flower, allowing it to bloom even before spring arrives.

Peru 
If you think Denmark is the only country that swaps out romantic roses for a different flower, think again! In Peru, orchids take center stage, thanks to the country's vast variety of native species. These exotic and elegant blooms are embraced as a symbol of love, making them the perfect Valentine’s gift. Fun fact: In Peru, Valentine's Day is known as Día del Amor y la Amistad, meaning “Day of Love and Friendship”. Thus, the celebration isn’t just for couples — it also highlights friendships, making the day even more special. With this unique tradition, orchids fill markets, parks, and gift bouquets, adding a vibrant and colorful touch to the celebration.

Wales
While much of the world celebrates love on February 14, Wales does things a little differently. The Welsh honor romance a bit earlier, on January 25, known as St. Dwynwen’s Day, dedicated to their patron saint of lovers. Instead of the usual chocolates and roses, they exchange beautifully carved wooden love spoons. Dating back to the 17th century, these handcrafted spoons are decorated with symbols like hearts for love, horseshoes for luck, and keys to “unlock” one’s heart. Though modern couples in Wales may still mark February 14, St. Dwynwen’s Day remains a heartfelt celebration of love and craftsmanship, keeping this centuries-old tradition alive.

Conclusion
After exploring the unique traditions of different countries, it’s clear that Valentine’s Day is so much more than just giving presents. Whether it’s through secret admirer letters or the exchange of love spoons,  each country adds its own special touch. These traditions remind us that Valentine’s Day isn’t just a date on the calendar — it’s a time to celebrate love, strengthen connections, and make lasting memories, no matter where you are in the world.

Thaipusam, or Thaipoosam, is a Tamil Hindu celebration on the first full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai, falling on the Pusam star. The word ‘Thaipusam,’ combines the two Tamil words above: Thai, from the Tamil Month and the name of the star, Pusam. It honours the Hindu god Murugan's triumph over the asura (demon) Surapadman.

According to the epic, Skanda Purana, three asuras—Singamukhan, Tarakasuran, and Surapadman performed rituals to appease the Hindu deity, Shiva. Pleased, Shiva gave them immense strength and power, making the trio practically invincible. With this power, they cruelly persecuted the gods (devas) and other celestial beings. Helpless, the devas pleaded for assistance. Moved, Shiva vowed to assist them. He produced five additional heads, each producing a heavenly spark. After being put in the Ganges river, the sparks were carried to Saravana Lake by the goddess Ganga, where they matured into the six-headed deity, Murugan, who was destined to defeat the Asura brothers. A long and fierce battle was fought. Surapadman was desperate, using his ultimate ability: illusion. He transformed into various forms—a mango tree, a peacock and a rooster. However, Murugan eventually managed to defeat Surapadman, by dividing him in two with his special weapon, the Vel. 

During the Thaipusam festival, believers perform a ceremonial act of sacrifice and offering known as Kavadi Aattam. It represents spiritual commitment and devotion and is a major aspect of the celebration. Kavadi, which translates to "burden" in Tamil, is a physical burden which is balanced on the devotee's shoulders and is made up of a semicircular piece of steel or wood that has been bent and fastened to a frame or structure. The devotees ask Murugan for help by carrying the Kavadi, usually to pay off a spiritual debt or on behalf of a loved one who needs support or recovery. As an offering (paal kavadi), worshippers frequently carry a pot or pots of cow milk alongside other items like flowers, sugarcane, and coconut. The carrying of Vel Kavadi, a portable altar that can reach a height of 2 meters and weigh up to 30 kilograms, is the most extreme and spectacular practice. It is adorned with peacock feathers and fastened to the devotee's body using several skewers and metal hooks that are punctured into the skin on the back and chest.

In Malaysia, Thaipusam is celebrated on a large scale at the Batu Caves (Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple), just outside of Kuala Lumpur. Additionally, Hindus also gather at the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Ipoh (Perak), the Balathandayuthapani Temple or Waterfall Hill Temple in Penang, and the Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Sungai Petani (Kedah). Nevertheless, the celebrations at Batu Caves are far more exciting and energetic. It successfully became an amazing experience for visitors with over 10,000 of them attending the Batu Caves celebrations each year. From the colourful parade, and the music to just witnessing the genuine acts of devotion, it’s certainly something worth seeing and participating in. Thus, if you would like to experience the Thaipusam to the fullest, Batu Caves is the place to go!

Uniquely, other Malaysian states have their own ways of celebrating Thaipusam too. For instance, as of 2017, Thaipusam celebrations in Penang have broken a 164-year tradition by using two chariots instead of a single silver chariot. This is in contrast to the Thaipusam celebrations in other states. The statue of Lord Murugan is carried by the silver chariot, and the Vel is carried by the golden chariot. Regardless of the place, the festive spirit fills the air as the community comes together to celebrate.

In conclusion, Thaipusam is a big celebration for Hindus, usually in January or February. As a multicultural society, it is important to have a solid understanding and mutual respect for each culture’s traditions and celebrations. Through this article, I hope the readers will be able to gain a clearer picture of Thaipusam and its festivities to strengthen the mutual respect everyone should have regarding celebrations.