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Alor Setar Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
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Alor Setar Holidays Overview
The city of Alor Star ( known as Alor Setar in Malay) is the capital of the state of Kedah which is located in the north western part of the Malaysian Peninsula.
The state of Kedah is often referred to the rice bowl of Malaysia as it home to numerous verdant paddy fields and it is in fact an important distribution center for rice and other agricultural products in Malaysia. Alor Star has been the capital of Kedah state since ancient times and it continues to be the base for the royal family of Kedah.
Historical texts trace the origins of Kedah to a Hindu- Buddhist Kingdom that existed in Bujang Valley as early as the 4th century AD; the Kedah royal family can in fact trace its origins back to this time. It is believed that Kedah was founded by a Hindu King called Merong Mahawangsa and the Sultanate of Kedah originated in 1136 when the 9th king of this dynasty converted to Islam and adopted the name Sultan Mudzafar Shah. The Sultans have ruled Kedah ever since though they lost control of the state twice once when they were invaded by the Bugis in 1770 and then the Siamese in 1821.
Alor Star which was founded in 1735 is today inhabited by approximately 300,000 people and is one of the oldest cities in Kedah. Alor Star was granted the status of a city as recently as 21st December 2003 when its name was officialy changed from Alor Setar to Alor Star. The city is a popular holiday destination for both local and international tourists who come to take it its many historical sites while they enjoy its laid back pace of life.
Aside from being an important agricultural outpost in Malaysia, Alor Star is also widely regarded as to have made a significant contribution to Malaysian politics as the city is the birth place of two prominent Malaysian prime ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman who was independent Malaysia’s first prime minister. He is today fondly referred to as Bapa Kemerdekaan (Father of Independence) or Bapa Malaysia (Father of Malaysia). Alor Star is also the birthplace of Tun Mahathir bin Mohamad who was Malaysia’s fourth prime minister. Mahathir bin Mohamad is credited with modernization of Malaysia and he is Malaysia’s longest serving and most successful leader who held office for 22 years from 1981 to 2003 .
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Alor Setar
holidays - Top Events
Alor Star hosts many of the festivals which are celebrated in other parts of Malaysia like Hari Raya Adil Fitri which is held at the end of Ramadan, Deepavali, Christmas, National Day and Chinese New Year. However it also hosts several indigenous Kedah festivals like the Kedah State Wau Festival which is essentially a Kite festival which features large colorful kites or Waus. This festival usually takes place in the month of March and extends over 3 days during which prizes are given for best kite designs and the best flying performance.
Alor Star also plays host to the annual Kedah Water Festival every April, which features several competitions like duck catching competitions and river barge parades. The festival tends to attract tourists from all over the globe.
Other important festivals that are held in Alor Star are the Padi Festival which is held at the Muzim Padi( Rice Museum) every year in March and the International Lion Dance Performance Championship which is usually held in the month of January .
Alor Setar
holidays - How to Get There
Airlines like Malaysian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Qantas and Emirates provide air links from Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne to Alor Star.
The closest Australian consulate to Alor Star is the Australian Consulate which is located in Penang
http://www.malaysia.embassy.gov.au/
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