The annual Hindu celebration of the triumph of light over darkness
Bright colours, tantalising aromas and the light of a thousand oil lamps fill the streets of Little India during Deepavali.
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Bright colours, tantalising aromas and the light of a thousand oil lamps fill the streets of Little India during Deepavali.
Rangoli—which involves using powder to create beautiful patterns on the ground—is just one of many art forms you’ll observe in Little India during Deepavali.
Life-sized installations of elephants, which are significant in Hindu tradition, deck the neighbourhood during the festival.
On several nights leading up to Deepavali, traditional dancers and artists perform on the streets of the district.
As one of the major cultural festivals in Singapore, Deepavali (also known as “Diwali” or the “Festival of Lights”) is a celebration to mark the triumph of good over evil. It’s when thousands of Hindu families in the city—and across the world—transform their homes into beacons of light, exchange gifts, share feasts and perform pooja (prayers) to deities such as Lakshmi, the goddess of fertility and prosperity.
Photo by Choo Yut Shing
Before the day of the festival, Hindu families throng Little India to gear up at the district’s many bazaars and snap photos of the stunning street light-up. The monumental installations, Instagram-worthy decorations and bright festive lights will stand in the neighbourhood for about a month after Deepavali, so there’s plenty of time to celebrate with the locals.
Chase the scents of floral garlands and incense while browsing through stalls hawking gold jewellery, traditional snacks, embroidered sari (traditional Indian womenswear) and ornamental decorations. Enjoy a musical performance under the stars while getting an intricate henna tattoo done. Or simply park yourself at any of the neighbourhood’s many coffee shops with a mug of teh tarik (pulled milk tea) to watch one of the most beautiful festivals in Singapore blossom to life.
Photo by Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA)
To enmesh yourself with the Hindu community, follow the Silver Chariot procession, held twice in the lead-up to Deepavali. Devotees tow a silver chariot that houses an effigy of the goddess Sri Drowpathai Amman all the way from the Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown—it’s the oldest of its kind in Singapore—to Little India.
About a week before the big day, the Sri Mariamman Temple hosts another cultural spectacle: Theemithi. In a ritual that continues well into the night, witness thousands of men walk on burning charcoal as a tribute to the goddess.
The Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association is organising a series of interactive events to celebrate Deepavali. The light-up ceremony will be held on 3rd October 2020. More info can be found here.
Deepavali Masterclass
Deepavali Masterclasses will be conducted free online for participants to learn to prepare Deepavali delicacies with special cooking techniques and use of special ingredients. The masterclasses will be held on 10 and 31 October 2020.
Deepavali Gastronomy
Special Deepavali renditions of signature dishes will be introduced at participating restaurants in Little India as part of Deepavali Gastronomy from 14 October to 22 November 2020.
Rangoli Workshop
An online Rangoli workshop will be conducted on 17th October 2020 by Ms Vijaya Mohan, a well-known Rangoli/Kolam artist who has won numerous awards. The workshop will be open to both local and international participants who can submit their works of art and stand to win attractive prizes.
Henna Painting Workshop
An online henna painting workshop will be conducted on 7 November 2020, where participants will learn to draw decorative designs on their palms and hands.
This Hindu temple, dedicated to the goddess Kali, was built in 1855 and fascinates visitors with its high tower, bell-covered doors and ceilings festooned with statues of myriad deities.
This 24-hour shopping mall is famous for having whatever you want, whenever you want it. Choose from a wide range of household appliances, gold jewellery, apparel and groceries, at reasonable prices.
This bazaar bustles with stallholders who peddle everything from festive knick-knacks to seasonal snacks like 'murukku' (savoury twists) and 'athirasam' (sweet doughnuts).
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