Deepavali

Deepavali (aka Diwali), which means the festival of lights, is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated in Singapore.

It is a celebration of hope over despair, good over evil, light over darkness. The Deepavali festival has been celebrated for hundreds of years in India and continues to be celebrated by Singaporeans today.

Preparations for the festival last five days but the main festival celebrations are on the darkest night of the Kartik, Hindu Lunisolar month. Before the Deepavali night, Singaporeans clean, decorate and renovate their houses and during the hour of celebration, Singaporeans dress up in their best clothes. They also light up diyas which are candles or lamps inside or outside of their houses, exchange gifts and give away sweets to children.

Another traditional way to celebrate Deepavali is by painting your hands with henna art which is a temporary tattoo made with the henna plant.

This festival is celebrated intensely in Little India. During the festival, the streets of Little India are decorated in many different colours and lit up with thousands of lights. There are also numerous traditional and cultural activities held in Little India such as street parades, Indian craft and heritage exhibitions and countdown concerts.

Stalls and stores in the streets are decorated with fragrant flowers, traditional oil lamps, garlands, glittering gems and beautiful saris. You can also find traditional Indian outfits, costume jewellery and traditional crafts and arts for sale.

If you are into rich Indian culture, come to Little India and take your place in any of the coffee shops and order yourself a teh tarik which is a frothy milk tea. Sit and enjoy the colourful celebration together with the lively crowd who fill the streets.