Singapore – the ‘little red dot’ – has a diverse culture owing to the many communities residing peacefully and happily in HDBs, condominiums, and landed properties. The Singaporean Indian community makes for a good percentage of the entire Singaporean population and with that a celebration of Indian festivals is observed at an awe-inspiring pace.
With Deepavali right around the corner, Singapore welcomes the ‘Festival of Lights’ – and colour – with open arms. Travelers and locals get an insight into its complex beauty in the way thousands of lights illuminate the streets of Little India, or the Deepavali Village where there are hordes of games, food, and unlimited fun for all to participate in!
The mesmerising display of oil-lamps or diyas as well as the magnanimous traditional statues – elephants, peacocks, lotus flower – that flank the entrance to Serangoon Road can fool you into thinking that you’re in the middle of a major city in India. The market is flooded with jasmine, marigold, and orchid garlands, fragrance from incense sticks wafting through the corners, delicious food being prepared for the biggest and most vibrant festival in the Hindu community!
Whether you celebrate Deepavali or not, here are a few sights and sounds you can expect during Deepavali in Singapore that you can enjoy with your loved ones, as you roam the homely streets and embrace the festivities!
1. Deepavali Light Up at Little India
Each year, Little India is decked up in the finest and brightest display of thousands of lights that make the streets all the more vibrant, cheerful, and of course, festive. This time around, two baby elephants – Tusker’s Kingdom – light up in rainbow colours once the sun sets, marking the entrance to Serangoon Road. While you stand here appreciating the breathtaking event, turn your gaze towards the street as you will see running banners of lights that span across the entire road! With hues of purple, red, tree, yellow, and white, the stunning display is sure to take your breath away!
The street light up is a yearly tradition and reminds one of the onset of Deepavali season that penetrates into the air, which then crackles with excitement for the much-awaited celebrations!
Date: Now, until 12th November 2017
Time: 7pm – midnight
Venue: Serangoon Road and Race Course Road
2. Shop, and then shop some more!
Singapore is known as a true shopper’s paradise and for good measure that too. Every corner you turn, you will be greeted by retail giants offering unbeatable and irresistible deals, discounts, sales! The festive season brings with it an even higher number of deals than normal and what with the ever-popular Mustafa Center open 24-hours, you can shop till you literally drop. Out on the streets, you can get your hands on everything from cosmetics to snacks that would be offered to visiting families, friends, and relatives. As exchanging gifts and blessings is part of Deepavali, people go all out with their shopping purchasing flower garlands, oil-lamps, accessories for rangoli, and new clothes for kids to name a few finds. If that’s not enough, there’s always the wet market that also sells trinkets and fabric, Tekka Centre!
3. Visit the Deepavali Festival Village in Little India
Deepavali in Singapore calls for the biggest festival village with stalls and vendors selling delicious Indian fares, clothes, gold jewelry, accessories, handicraft from Indian states, traditional decorations for the home, and all this set to upbeat Indian music to get everyone pumped! The lively streets are a haven for the traveler and as the village stretches across a vast area, there is much to get done before you call it a night.
With mouthwatering smells in the air of a piping hot feast in the making, walk the streets along with hundreds of people from around the world who have gathered together to celebrate Deepavali in Singapore and partake in the activities for a harmonious and unified experience.
Date: Now, until 17th October 2017
Time: 11am – 10pm
Venue: Campbell Lane and Hastings Road
4. Visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple
Step into one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples, the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, dedicated to the goddess and destroyer of evil, Sri Veeramakaliamman or Kali. This distinctive landmark in the heart of Little India has fascinating stories to tell of colonial Singapore. From its earliest days, it was linked with early migrant workers from India, who would have worshipped the goddess to feel safe in a new foreign land.
While you’re at it, check out Bustling Chinatown is home to the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, the Sri Mariamman Temple. Dating back to 1827, the temple was known as Mariamman Kovil or Kling Street Temple, and built by immigrants from the Nagapatnam and Cuddalore districts of South India. It is dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, known for her power to cure illnesses and diseases. With its colourful and intricate statues and detailing, both temples remain among the most spectacular experiences in Singapore.
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Operating Hours: 5.30am – 12.15pm, 4pm – 9.15pm
Venue: 141 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218042
Sri Mariamman Temple
Operating Hours: 5.30am – noon, 6pm – 9pm.
Venue: 244 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058793
5. Pay a visit to friends and family for a warm, festive welcome
Deepavali brings it with a joyous disposition and countenance with which people find in them the spirit to reach out to family and friends. For the festivities to begin, people in Singapore, as it is in India, decorate their homes and the entrance to their homes with vigour and optimism. If you were to visit a Hindu home during Deepavali, you will observe the garlands of flowers donning the doorframe, oil-lamps out front, as well as intricate and colourful rangoli to welcome you inside their humble abode!
Exchanging gifts, preparing hearty feasts, eating sweets and savoury snacks, catching up with loved ones all come with the festival. You can spend hours and not get bored while amongst the people you love, gorging on ladoos and jalebi!
If all else fails, simply book a staycation for a relaxing holiday and indulge in the plethora of Indian restaurants around the city just to get your curry fix this festive season!
