The vibrant and colourful festivals that Malaysians celebrate are a direct result of our multi-racial society, and they are almost without parallel. These take place throughout the year, some only at state level while others are nation-wide, and each is distinctive of a particular ethnic or religious group.

The biggest Muslim celebration is the first day of Syawal ( 7th month in the Muslim calendar ), known here as Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, which is the culmination of a month of daytime fasting during Ramadhan. The Indians celebrate Deepavali. The main Chinese festival is the lunar new year, known here as Chinese New Year. This is celebrated with a family reunion dinner on New Year's eve and the distribution of ang pows ( money packed in tiny red envelopes ) to children. These are many other festivals, including Hari Raya Aidil Adha, the Hindu religious festival of Thaipusam, the Chinese Lantern Festival, the Buddhist Wesak Day and of course, Christmas.

PETALING DISTRICT
Sultan Alam Shah Museum
Strategically located in the heart of Shah Alam, the Sultan Alam Shah Museum is an ideal choice to view the rich history of Selangor.

This blue-roofed building in traditional Selangor architecture houses some of the finest displays in the country. It is a "must" stop for local history lovers.

Visitors would experience the colourful past of the Selangor Sultanate and the British rule of Selangor.

KLANG DISTRICT
Gedung Raja Abdullah
Built in 1857, Gedung Raja Abdullah in Klang was first used to store weapons, tin and food supply. In 1874, it was converted to government offices by the British. Then, this building was converted into a museum with numerous relics in 1895.

Now, it stands majestically as a tin museum, and a reminder of the past that was calamitous and colourful.

Exhibits in this museum trace the history of Selangor's tin mining industry and the role it played in the development and success of Selangor.

Kota Raja Mahadi
Kota Raja Mahadi, perched on a hillock in Klang, continues to guard the Klang River today. It stands imposingly beside the present Klang Municipal Council office complex.

This fort was built in 1886 by Raja Mahadi and his people as a barricade during the civil war against Raja Abdullah.

Expect not a ruin of broken towers and rusty cannons, but a contemporary structural wonder, juxtaposing angular and slender round lines that almost bring to mind many famous architectural masterpieces around the world.

KUALA SELANGOR DISTRICT
Kota Melawati
This fort was built by local Malays during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim, the second Sultan of Selangor (1778-1826).

The history of the fort began with the downfall of the East India Dutch Company after the forth Dutch-English War (1780-1784). When the Dutch influence became weak, Selangor, backed by Johor and Riau, invaded Malacca, which was also under the Dutch rule, but failed.

The Dutch then invaded Selangor and conquered Kuala Selangor in July 1784. During the invasion, this fort collapsed but was reconstructed and renamed Fort Altingsburg, after the Dutch Governor General Alting. On 28 June 1785, this fort was recaptured by Sultan Ibrahim.

From that date until the British intervention in 1874, this fort has fought over and served as a battlefield in several other wars.

KUALA LANGAT DISTRICT
Istana Bandar
This palace was built in 1905, during the early reign of Sultan Alauddin Sulaiman Shah, the fifth Sultan of Selangor.

Istana Bandar has 15 rooms. It is made of wood and marble. The entire design was made by Sultan Alauddin himself, who also bore the cost of constructing the palace.

Sultan Alauddin resided at this palace for 35 years until his death in 1938. It was at this palace too, that the present and seventh Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, was born in 1926.

Sultan Abdul Samad Royal Mausoleum
Located in Jugra, Kuala Langat, this royal mausoleum commands a panoramic vista of the surrounding scenery.

It is the site where Sultan Abdul Samad and other members of the past royal family were laid to rest.

An imposing building with attractive Malay and Islamic architecture provides additional historical character to this site.

Sultan Alauddin Mosque
Sultan Alauddin mosque in Jugra is a stone's throw from Istana Bandar.

This mosque dominates the surrounding countryside with its graceful dome and attractive Moorish architecture.

Visitors will be kept spellbound with the impeccable wood carving of the "mimbar" in this mosque. Presently, the mosque is used by local Muslims to perform their daily prayers.

GOMBAK DISTRICT
Orang Asli Museum
Located approximately 20 km North-East from Kuala Lumpur, this museum provides an insight into the culture of "orang asli" or the indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia.

Presently, the orang asli lead a simple yet fascinating lifestyle, especially in the rural areas.

Here, visitors could see the 600-year old collection of tribal heritage such as blow pipes, spears, porcelain and ancestral figurines.

COPYRIGHT 2000 - ASIATRAVELLING.NET