Well, I was there during Raya holidays. I feel the clothes are really over-priced. We have this tendency to price a suit at RM390 and then sell it off for RM200 or even less, for example. Need to have really good bargaining skills. Also, nothing much seemed to be new. Same old stuff as the year before. Sometimes, I think its better to use the money to buy office clothes at shopping centres, saving me the hassle of bargaining and wasting time.

Little India all aglow

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By SANGEETHA NAIR
Photos by S.S. KANESAN

sangeetha@thestar.com.my 

The Deepavali mood has already set in at Jalan Tengku Kelana in Klang, Selangor. 

WHILE major shopping centres are bringing down the Hari Raya decor to create the mood for the upcoming Deepavali, the Festival of Lights is already being felt in Klang, Selangor. 

Although it is more than a fortnight away, Hindus from all over the country are travelling to Klang Valley’s Little India in Jalan Tengku Kelana for the festive shopping. 

The street has rows and rows of shops selling everything for the celebration and all are shipped straight from Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and other parts of India. 

Stores like Sri Rasi Silk centre are offering up to 90% discount on their Banaras sarees.  

Competition is stiff as almost all the outlets have stationed their shop assistants along the five-foot-ways to lure customers in.  

Sweet treats: You can find lots of these mouth-watering delights in Little India.

At the clearance sales, you could purchase sarees at prices ranging from RM13.90 to RM69.90 while the higher-end Bombay sarees cost between RM300 and RM500 after discount. 

If you prefer Punjabi suits, now is the time to shop for them as most outlets are displaying their latest and exclusive collections which are also priced between RM300 and RM500.  

Little India attracts shoppers from all over Malaysia. Dr Prem Kumar and his family had come all the way from Sungai Petani, Kedah, to do their Deepavali shopping.  

“We like shopping here as the prices are much cheaper than back home. There is also an excellent selection of clothes to choose from,” he said.  

Another shopper, M. Saraswathy, 24, who was buying some bangles and costume jewellery, said this is where she does her shopping every year.  

“Little India is like a one-stop centre for all your Deepavali shopping. You can find everything here. Clothing, jewellery, shoes, kitchen ware, groceries, sweetmeats and even greeting cards. Most of the products here are from India. You can’t find them in normal shopping complexes,” she said.  

Wide assortment: A variety of bangles and accessories for women and children.

Saraswathy was shopping in Madura which had a variety of bangles and accessories for women and children.  

You would find a van parked outside Madura selling colourful treats like the apple palgoa, laddu, mysoore pak, jillebi, bunti, muruku, kolakatta and many more.  

Run by M. Gopalakrishnan, 43, and his wife Manjula Steven, 27, this little sweet business offers a lovely speciality in its giant sized laddu. 

Walk further into Jalan Pulasan and you would see Gayathiri, a store which sells silver ware and prayer items including statues of deities. 

On the same street just before Gayathiri is a corner lot space where 60-year-old retired repairman S.L. Jeyaraj runs his little repair shop.  

The few weeks before Deepavali is his busiest time as this is when the folks around Klang would send all their faulty blenders and electrical items to him for repairs.  

For fresh flowers and garlands, visit Lorong Tingkat as there are about 20 florists operating there.  

All ready-made: Get exclusive Punjabi suits at discounted prices.

Come a little later in the day and you would find peddlers selling their wares at Lorong Mydin. It is a mini version of a pasar malam where you would find footwear, belts, wallets, CDs, toys, rugs and tidbits.  

There is also a good selection of restaurants where you can savour both North and South Indian food. 

One drink you should try out is the Madras Masala Milk at the Asoka Curry House.  

It is a concoction of ground hazel nuts, raisins, pistachios, ginger, saffron and spices fried in a wok with a little bit of ghee before milk is added in.