C. Khor
Malaysians can ride the Penang ferry for free this Deepavali. The offer applies on Sunday, 8 November, for pedestrian, motorcycle and bicycle journeys between Butterworth and George Town.
The Penang Port Commission and Penang Port Sdn Bhd are jointly offering the free service. It covers trips from Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth and Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda in George Town.
Malaysian citizens must show a MyKad or MyKid to qualify. The free rides follow the latest ferry timetable.
Last Deepavali, 7,780 pedestrians and 1,518 two-wheeler riders used the free ferry service. The initiative aims to make festive travel easier and encourage public transport use.
How to use the free ferry
The offer is only for Malaysian citizens. Foreign visitors and non-citizen residents will need to pay the normal fare.
Passengers can board at either terminal. The service runs between Butterworth’s Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim and George Town’s Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda.
The free rides apply to pedestrians as well as motorcycle and bicycle riders. Drivers of cars and other vehicles are not included in the announcement.
Ferry services will follow the latest timetable. Penang Port advises passengers to check its official website and social media channels before travelling.
Deepavali in Little India
Little India in George Town is the centre of Penang’s Deepavali celebrations. The area around Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Lebuh Penang, Market Street and Queen Street fills with lights, kolam patterns and flower garlands.
The festive bazaar is already running and becomes busier each evening until 7 November. Stalls sell saris, bangles, brass lamps, flowers, kolam powder, sweets and decorations.
Deepavali falls on Sunday, 8 November. Penang observes Monday, 9 November as a replacement public holiday.
On festival day, Hindu families light oil lamps at dawn, wear new clothes and visit temples for prayers. Many later hold open houses and share traditional sweets such as murukku, laddu and gulab jamun.
Where to visit on festival day
Sri Mahamariamman Temple on Lebuh Queen is one of the main places for Deepavali prayers. It is Penang’s oldest Hindu temple and sits in the heart of Little India.
The Nattukotai Chettiar Temple on Jalan Kebun Bunga is the other major prayer venue. It is also known as the Waterfall Hilltop Temple and is quieter than Little India.
Visitors should dress modestly at temples. Shoulders and knees should be covered, shoes must be removed at the entrance, and visitors should avoid disrupting prayers.
Photography is generally welcome outside prayer times, but visitors should ask before photographing people. Evening is the best time to see the lamps and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
The free ferry makes it easier for mainland residents to visit George Town without driving. Passengers should arrive early, especially if travelling with children or motorcycles.
Little India is about a 10-minute walk from many George Town heritage hotels. Driving into the area can be slow during the festive period, and parking is limited.
Some Indian-owned shops and restaurants may close on Deepavali itself. Malls, hawker centres and many other food outlets are expected to remain open.
For the best experience, visit Little India before 7 November for shopping, then return on 8 November for temple prayers, lamps and open houses.
Yalinie Mathan
Amirull Salihing
Sashidaran Gunathevan
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