Little India Klang

Joom ke Little India! Dimana ada komuniti India yang agak besar, disitu ada Little India. Little India di Malaysia bukan sahaja terdapat di Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur dan juga di Penang, malah kini ada di Klang! Selain di Malaysia, Little India juga ada di beberapa negara di Asia Tenggara, termasuklah Singapura.

Jalan Tengku Kelana Klang yang dipenuhi deretan kedai menjual kain sari yang popular dan kedai-kedai yang menawarkan pelbagai keperluan masyarakat India setempat dinobatkan sebagai Little India Klang

Kewujudan Little India menyamai konsep China Town, bezanya Little India adalah kawasan yang dimonopoli bangsa Cina manakala Little India pula adalah kawasan bangsa India.  Little India Klang terletak di Jalan Tengku Kelana, iaitu sebuah kawasan perniagaan yang terletak di Klang Selatan. Jika anda ke bandar Klang, anda tidak akan menemui Little India Klang jika anda merentasi Jambatan Kota Klang yang baharu. Untuk sampai ke Little India Klang, anda perlu melalui Jambatan Klang yang satu lagi yang menghubungkan Stesen Bas Klang Selatan dengan Stesen Bas Klang Utara. Jika anda menaiki komuter, jarak antara Stesen Keretapi Klang dengan Little India juga tidaklah terlalu jauh dan boleh sahaja anda berjalan kaki untuk ke tempat ini.

Keratan akhbar Utusan Malaysia yang melaporkan mengenai masalah kesesakan yang berlaku di Little India Klang setiap kali musim perayaan Deepavali kerana kenderaan yang banyak diletakkan di bahu jalan.

Little India Klang bukanlah sebuah kawasan perniagaan yang besar tetapi kawasan ini berada dijalan utama di Klang Selatan.  Sesiapa sahaja yang menaiki bas awam dari daerah Klang Selatan seperti Pelabuhan Klang atau Banting pasti akan melalui kawasan Little India ini sebelum bas berhenti di Stesen Bas Klang Utara. Panjang kawasan perniagaan Little India adalah kira-kira sejauh 150m dan kawasan perniagaan ini dimonopoli sepenuhnya oleh kaum India dan benggali.

Tidak seperti kawasan perniagaan biasa, di Little India Klang, tiada bangsa atau kaum lain membuka perniagaan. Jika anda melalui kawasan Little India Klang, anda bukan sahaja dapat melihat premis-premis peniaga india yang megah dengan papan tanda gambar model berpakaian sari malahan telinga anda akan disajikan dengan muzik dan lagu-lagu Tamil. Jika anda ingin membeli-belah dalam suasana ala India, sama ada mencari permaidani baru, kain sarong, kain ela, langsir, cadar ataupun pakaian tradisional India seperti sari dan Punjabi, perkakasan rumah, peralatan sembahyang bagi kaum India dan sebagainya, Little India adalah tempatnya.

Tekstil adalah antara barangan dagangan yang utama di Little India Klang

Patung-patung memperagakan fesyen ala-Punjabi.

Kawasan ini diwartakan sebagai Little India Klang sejak tahun melawat Malaysia 2007. Sebelum itu, kawasan ini tidak mendapat perhatian pihak majlis untuk dimajukan. Tidak terlintas juga kawasan ini boleh diperkenalkan sebagai salah satu produk pelancongan Little India di Malaysia. Untuk membangunkan industri pelancongan di Selangor, khususnya di Klang, kerajaan negeri telah mencari kawasan-kawasan yang berpotensi untuk diketengahkan sebagai destinasi pelancongan. Little India Klang diangkat sebagai salah satu destinasi pelancongan Klang kerana terdapat keunikan di kawasan perniagaan ini.Ia juga tidak jauh daripada tiga tempat menarik di Klang iaitu Galeri diRaja Klang,  Istana Alam Shah dan juga Masjid Sultan Suleiman.

Jarak berjalan kaki..Little India ke Galeri DiRaja Klang (bangunan putih)

Untuk pelancong muslim yang ingin melihat keunikan Little India Klang, anda akan berpeluang bersolat di sebuah masjid yang dikenali sebagai “Masjid India” pada tahun 2009 nanti. Masjid ini berada dalam kawasan Little India dan sedang dalam pembinaan (2008) selepas dirobohkan (kerana sempit dan tidak dapat menampung jumlah jemaah)  oleh pihak Majlis Perbandaran Klang untuk dinaiktaraf.

Masjid India Klang ketika sedang dinaiktaraf pada 2008 kini sudahpun siap.

Masjid India Klang ketika siap pada 2009.

Suasana jalanan di Little India Klang meriah, lebih-lebih lagi ketika hendak menyambut Deepavali. Jika melaluinya dengan kereta, bukalah tingkap kenderaan anda untuk menikmati suasananya. Jika mendapat petak parking di bahu jalan, jangan lepaskan peluang untuk berhenti dan melawat kawasan ini. Bukan senang mendapat ruang petak parking di Little India ini yang sibuk terutamanya pada sebelah petang. Ok…kesimpulannya, jika anda berminat untuk mengkaji tahap kemajuan kaum India atau sekadar ingin melihat gelagat masyarakat India Klang, datanglah ke Little India Klang!

Little India Klang menjelang senja.

Take a Walk to Little India Klang

Start your trek from the town of Klang itself and take a 10 minute walk along the Klang Bridge. This beautifully constructed viaduct sets Little India apart from the hustle and bustle of the main town and pedestrians are sheltered from the sun as a covered walkway lines the bridge.

Pedestrian crossing the Klang river through the Klang bridge are sheltered.

A feel of nostalgia over comes your senses as you walk. The river which runs through the town begins at the merging of the Klang and Gombak River in Kuala Lumpur and runs to Port Klang, eventually flowing into the Straits of Malacca. It is approximately 120 km long and drains more than 1200 square km.

A typical view – Little Indian shoppers in Klang, Selangor.

Keep a sharp lookout for any photo opportunities. Traders, boatmen and people just going about their daily lives provide ample camera fodder. If you’re lucky, you may just see a crocodile in the river! At the end of the bridge the sights, sounds and smell of Little India welcomes you with warmth and hospitality. Clothes shop offer gorgeous saris, Punjabi suits, salwar karneers and lenga’s suitable for princes and princesses. All sewn and woven to perfection. Prices range from RM26.90 to RM299.00 for a sari. Friendly salesmen welcomes you even if it is to just take a peek at the lovely selections.

Finding Indian suites – saris, Punjabi suits, etc.

As upon entering one of the many accessory shops, you will definitely be enticed with hundreds of accessories even if you don’t wear them. In some shops you can find silverware and statues of Indian Gods. Most of them welcome you with beautiful plastic flower decorations at the doorway. While walking at Little India Klang, keep an eye out for women making pretty jasmine garlands.

Jasmine garlands at Little India Klang

Walking all this distance, to and for many times can let you work up a huge appetite. Getting food in this town is the least of your worries. At Little India Klang, numerous restaurants with a wide range of prices, amount and cleanliness level can be found on both sides of the streets.

A curry house at Little India Klang

Do not be alarmed till you have tasted the food. An range of toosais and chappatis or idlis are available, everything from sweatinducing, spicy dishes to sweet condiments will tempt your tastebuds. Quell that an Indian rumbling tummy by opting for speciality; Briyani, banana leaf rice, fried mamak noodles and even vegetarian rice. Leave a bit of room before you finish for some savoury vadai’s or samosa and colourful sweets too.

WOW! What a colorful food! Everything from sweatinducing, spicy dishes to sweet condiments will tempt your tastebuds.

At Little India Klang, you can get meals starting from RM2 onwards for something simple like toosai and tea. Mains such as nasi beriyani are more expensive. Your bill depends on the side dishes you take. Expect to pay more for seafood dishes.

Food street vendors can be seen everywhere selling their ware of tasty and colourful snacks sure to tempt your taste buds. Whether spicy or sweet, try some just to get a taste. Feast on jelebi, laadu, halva, mysore pak, a treat for your sweet tooth. Also try the ever popular Pakistani snack, pakora. Onion pakora is made of tomato, cauliflower, spinach and chilli. For packed snacks indulge in a wide variety of murukus & mixed nuts.Another interesting attraction that still exist at Little India Klang is Indian Palmistry. It is quite common along the streets. A little helper, normally a bird, is used to tell the future using cards. The teller also sells amulets and trinkets to bring luck. During my visit to Little India Klang in 2008, I did try to take photos of the India Palmistry but suddenly he leave the place! Shy? I’m not sure.

A bird will tell you about your luck! Believe or not?

For comfort, travel in shorts as it may get a little hot and humid if you go during midday. Try not to carry handbags as the streets can get rather crowded in the evenings. Little India Klang is located along Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang. The whole journey will probably take you less than an hour unless you make a stop at all the shops. GETTING THERE: Little India Klang is located 45 km from Kuala Lumpur. There are a few buses (Metrobus & Transnasional) available as Klang’s main bus station is located less than 5 minutes from the Klang Bridge. Metrobus can be taken near Central Market in Kuala Lumpur. As for KTM, stop at the Klang station which is also less than 5 minutes away from Little India. We highly recommend driving there as you might end up shopping more than you would realise and do more walking than you could imagine. The weather could get rather cruel during midday.

Masjid

Masjid India Klang

Smack in the centre of Klang, along Jalan Tengku Kelana Klang, is the little nook popularly known as Little India. Soak in the colourful sights on the street from the striking saris hanging from shops to the snacks and sweetmeats on sale from shops and roadside stalls.Delicious mouth-watering delicacies, fresh goat’s milk, various Indian breads and sweets are available from the numerous eateries.

What better opportunity to sample Indian cuisine at really affordable prices. This enclave which is definitely an uprising of colours represents the biggest Indian street in Malaysia. At Little India, customers are literally spoilt for choice in the midst of rows of shops flanking the left and right with more street-side stalls spilling into the sidewalks and back lanes. A myriad of items such as traditional saris, colorful accessories in the form of bangles and necklaces,  textiles, stainless steel pots, old-school cooking-ware, Indian delicacies, gold jewelry and flowers can be found in this little cranny. What more, fierce competitions among shop owners translated into cheaper price for consumers.

During Deepavali, the Indian festival of lights, the street is astoundingly transformed into a colorful spectacle of lights and booming sound of music. Weeks before the festival, Little India streets will already be decorated and lit from top to bottom. Most shop owners here will poll their resources together to decorate the street and the walkways of their shops, befitting this fun festival. Even with traffic clogging as the thousands make their way from as far as Singapore to make their Deepavali purchases, the atmosphere is electrifying.

In the spirit of the festivity, some shop owners will invite shoppers up to their shop to sample delicacies and to celebrate and join in the fiesta together. Go and visit Little India Klang!

If you want to get into the Deepavali mood, head to “Little India” in Klang for the food, sound, bargains and sights.

Ajuntha Textiles, Jalan Tengku Kelana

Good bargains await within, but you’d have to go through each rack. Check out the collection of sequinned sarees on the left as you enter. There is also a large stock of prayer items at the right side of the entrance. Chennai Silk, Jalan Istana This Indian textile shop is housed within a beautiful white colonial building. Its spacious interior allows for long hours of browsing. There are kiddy rides keep active tots occupied and entertained. A henna artist also offers her services at the entrance. Asoka Restaurant, Jalan Tengku Kelana Fluffy thosai with coconut chutney and melt-in-your-mouth gulab jamuns make this place a favourite tea time spot. For something more substantial, there is a full buffet upstairs where banana leaf lunches are served on silver trays. Try the milk tea. Gayathiri, Jalan Tengku Kelana Another saree and Indian costume haven! Look out for the deejay at the entrance his witty jokes are a sure fire way to bring on the smiles. Deepbas Beauty Centre, Jalan Tengku Kelana Bell-bottom children’s suits! Whatever will they think of next? This pattern, according to the tailor, is an original design and can only be found at Deepbas. A full suit starts from RM50 but a good discount is always negotiable. RMC, Jalan Tengku KelanaIn case you’re wondering, RMC stands for Raman Music Center. In addition to the latest in Indian music, movies and chants, you’d also find greeting cards bearing images of Bollywood celebrities.

Shanmuga Vilas, Jalan Tengku Kelana

Idly steamers, Tiffin carriers and stainless steel and brass vessels can be found in this quaint nook. There are also statues for devotional and decorative purposes. Sri Vidhya Publications, Jalan Pulasan A good place for finding books by Indian authors. Subjects cover interesting topics like metaphysical science and there also is the Ramayana epic in comic form. Interesting titles on Indian sages and everyday living are also available in Tamil and English. Mydin, Jalan Tengku Kelana The wholesale giant’s location is to pick up everyday items. As practiced in other outlets, you’d have to leave your shopping and bulky handbags at the counter before stepping in. Take note that they don’t hold on to wet stuff like fish and vegetables so do your marketing later. Fortune telling, Jalan Tengku Kelana Most of the 20 odd fortune ­tellers here rear trained green parrots who will pick out the tarot cards and finish off with a high five by lifting one of its legs. Take note that palm and tarot readings are charged within RM12 to RM15.

The Federal Government then bought the palace in 1957, to be converted into the Istana Negara. Since then it had undergone several renovations and extensions. But the most extensive upgrading was carried out in 1980, as it was the first time that the Installation Ceremony of His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong was held at the Istana Negara. Prior to this the Installation Ceremonies were held at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

This majestic building is nestled within a serene and beautiful 11.34-hectare compound with a variety of plants and flowers, swimming pool and indoor badminton hall. It is located at Syed Putra Road right in the heart of the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The building has several halls for specific purposes such as the two main halls, the Throne Hall (Balairong Seri) and the Audience Hall (Dewan Mengadap) on the ground floor.

The whole area is fenced up and the Royal Insignia of His Majesty is placed on each steel bar between two pillars of the fence. At the front of the Istana Negara, there is the main entrance which resembles a beautiful arch. On each side of the arch, are two guard posts to shelter two members of the cavalry in their smart full dress uniform similar to the ones at Buckingham Palace, London.

As the palace grounds are not opened to members of the public or tourists, the Main Palace Entrance is a favourite picture spot for tourists.