Deepavali was celebrated nationwide in a joyful mood today as Malaysians of the Hindu faith offered prayers at temples and opened their doors to friends and family.

Celebrations as the Batu Caves temple complex here was among the highlights of the day as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak joined more than 10,000 people of various races and backgrounds at the Deepavali open house hosted by MIC.

The crowd, who began to gather in the vicinity of the complex at 8 am, were treated to a sumptuous spread of vegetarian Indian dishes. The open house was from 9 am to 1 pm.

To the sounds of beating drums and Indian flutes as well as clement morning weather, Najib, who is Umno president and Barisan nasional chairman, was greeted on arrival at 10.30 am by MIC president Datuk Seri G.Palanivel, his deputy Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam and other party officials.

Present were Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Malaysia's special ambassador to India and South Asia Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Minister Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.

Other guests included Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar as well as several deputy ministers, political leaders and foreign diplomats.

Clad in a beige kurta with matching pants and a red shawl, Najib later cut a Deepavali cake, accompanied by Palanivel, Samy Vellu, Rais and other dignitaries.

Meanwhile, German tourist Andrea Niepalla said the colourful Deepavali open house was unique and amazing, while Michel Wilmer from Switzerland was delighted to have tasted various Indian delicacies and was impressed with how friendly Malaysians were.

"It's so amazing to be in Malaysia and at an event where people of different race and religion celebrating together with so much love and cheer,"he told.