It’s Deepavali in Little India

Well, of course it’s Deepavali or Diwali everywhere. But THE place in Singapore to visit during Deepavali is Little India.

The repetitious pattern that the street lights create is impressive year after year.

I wrote about Deepavali in Little India here, here and here.

It’s Deepavali in Little India

When it’s Deepavali in Little India, the streets are always lit up by pretty decorations. Last year it were peacocks, this year apparently it’s elephants.

The Deepavali ‘entrance gate’ to the area is always quite spectacular.

What kind of festival is Deepavali

Celebrated by Hindus across the world to mark the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, the symbolism of Deepavali is aptly summed up in the simple act of lighting an oil lamp.

Also at the beginning of the festival area: these two gigantic elephant guards.

Gorgeous!

And this is precisely what thousands of Hindu families all around Singapore do, turning their homes into enclaves of warm golden light even as they offer prayers, exchange gifts and share sweetmeats with each other.

Over the past years we had a young Indian couple as neighbours. (They moved to London, so they’re no longer our neighbours)

She always made the most beautiful rangoli inside and in front of her home.

Rangoli, lights and sweet snacks, all made by my former neighbour.

Find out when and where you can learn to make your own rangoli in Little India. I was planning to join one of these workshops, but I may be traveling then. To India….

Our neighbour always put lots of little lights and candles everywhere around the house and the couple invited us over for sweet snacks and lots of food. Very special.

Diwali activities in Little India

Besides decorated streets and colourful, cute elephant statues here and there, there’s a whole program of activities in Little India during the weeks leading up to the actual day of Diwali (october 18th). Find out more about that here and here.

Small elephants wandering through the streets of Little India during Diwali.

Aren’t they cute?

Fun shopping at Festival Market

A returning part of the program is the Festival Market, where a few streets are turned into the most colourful Indian bazar with bargains galore.

Yep, loving it!

A great place and time to shop for lights (after all, Diwali is the festival of lights), decorations for in your home, knick knacks, accessories and a lot more. Always fun to stroll around and buy some things. This year, the only thing I bought so far are two pairs of earrings. Really cute and super cheap!

I bought these super cute tiny boxes last year at the Festival Market.

Have you visited Little India during this period already? Do you celebrate Deepavali?