Deepavali fair draws the crowd

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INSTEAD of going to Little India in Brickfields and Jalan Tengku Kelana in Klang to do your Deepavali shopping, try Mines2 for a change.

Held for the first time and themed Deepavali@Mines2, the Shopping and Exhibition Fair has more than 40 booths selling sarees, punjabi suits, tops and accessories for the whole family.

Event organiser Meridian Planners Sdn Bhd director L. Vimalan said the idea to organise the Deepavali shopping fair at Mines2 was to create the spirit of celebration among the Indian community in Balakong, Kajang, Puchong and Cheras.

Vimalan said his company had come up with various activities like a kolam-colouring competition, cutest Deepavali baby contest, Miss Mines2, performances by local artistes, urumi (a traditional Indian musical instrument) competition and Tamil karaoke competition to create a festive mood among shoppers.

Glorious welcome: Two 1.8m-tall golden elephants at the entrance to the carnival fair.

“Mines2 is an ideal location as there is ample parking space and people can shop at leisure with their children in an air-conditioned area.

“Although the bazaar is quiet during the day, it is busier during weekends and after 7pm on weekdays,” said Vimalan, adding that since the shopping fair started on Oct 8, more than 15,000 people had visited the fair, which will end at 1am this Wednesday.

Shoppers will be able to find sequined sarees, jippa and pavadai outfits for children aged one to 12 and other traditional attire at the fair. Prices range from RM50 to RM1,000, but shoppers can bargain for a fair price.

Among other attractions are two 1.8m-tall elephant statues located at the entrance of Mines2 and a 6.09m-tall giant lamp decorated with kolam at its base.

Luvenya’s Bridal and Beauty has also set up a booth and does henna embroidery at RM5 per design. Customers can have a wide selection of designs from catalogues.

Many designs: Proprietor S. Kogilavani, 27, (left) putting a final touch to the henna embroidery on G. Lalisha’s hand.

For those who love art, visit Maya Gems Arts, which produces artwork made of gems and crystal.

Maya Gems Arts owner S. Ramachandran, 37, said this was the first time he was setting up a booth at Mines2 and so far he had received many orders.

“The artwork are handmade from natural gemstones. The process includes preparation, picture-outlining, gemstones-gluing, polishing and framing,” said Ramachandran, adding that the gems bring peace, prosperity and happiness in one’s life. Ramachandran also sells handmade vases.

For those who love traditional Indian sweets, visit Shaheed Sweets, a booth which offers laddu, barfi, coconut candy, gulab jamun, jelebi, halwa and milk halwa.

Its proprietor, Shabir Ghuman, 33, from Pakistan said the sweets were made by his workers from India and Pakistan.

“People like my delicacies because it is not very sweet,” said Shabir, who has a shop in Titiwangsa.

A shopper, R. Krishnammal, said she was glad that the shopping fair was held at Mines2 as it gave shoppers a different shopping experience.

“There is ample parking space and is air-conditioned. It is definitely safe to bring children as there is a special corner for them to play.

“Apart from shopping, we also get free entertainment like song performances, games show, competitions and lucky draws,” said the 60-year-old from Kajang.

The fair is co-organised by E2E Masterpiece Solutions and sponsored by Meridian Planners Sdn Bhd and Quantum Success.