KOTA KINABALU: Despite hailing from Perak, Chang Kai Chee celebrated Deepavali for the first time in Sabah.
The 22-year-old International Relations student at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) attended the festivities at Sri Pasupathinath Alayam temple in Bukit Padang, even borrowing her friend's traditional attire for the occasion.
"I had never been to such a celebration, although I have many Indian friends, but this is my first time being part of it.
"I had also been to the Kadazandusun Cultural Association to celebrate the Sabah harvest festival; this (Deepavali) is my second celebration since I came here last year.
"The celebration is even more unique as people from different backgrounds gather for the festival."
Temple president Datuk Dr K Mathavan said that the open house has been a tradition for over 20 years.
"Initially, it was for UMS students only who could not go back to their hometowns. Over time, we started to open it to everyone from other religions and ethnicities.
"There are also foreigners here because we extended the invitation to Kinabalu International School principal, and I believe tourists also know what is going on.
"The expenditure for the open house was contributed by devotees as they have gracious hearts to organise this event," he said adding that about 800 people attended the open house from 8 am to 11 am.