Calendar of Events

Festivals celebrated in Little India includes the following:

• Pongal Festival (14 - 17 January)
  For four days, Hindu temples around Singapore, especially Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, ring with rhythmic sounds of bells, drums clarinets and conch shells as Southern Hindus celebrate Pongal - the Harvest Festival. An early morning ritual in the homes begins with rice cooked in new pots, which are allowed to boil over as a sign of prosperity. In the temple, rice is also prepared while prayers are chanted to the accompaniment of the musical instruments. Vegetables, sugar cane and spices are offered to gods and later consumed by devotees to cleanse themselves of their past sins. Visitors are welcome to witness this festival.
  
  Temple etiquette requires visitors to be dressed appropriately and shoes to be removed at the doors.
  

• Thaipusam (February)
  Witness the faith, devotion and religious fervour of Hindu devotees at this dramatic festival. On this day, the birthday of Lord Murugan, devotees pierce their tongues with skewers and carry "kavadis" (a semi-circular metal structure) on their shoulder as a mark of thanksgiving and penance. Others pull chariot with their bare bodies while spikes and hooks are embedded in their backs. Look closely and be awed that no blood is drawn and the entranced devotees felt no pain as they walked through the three-kilometre route to the chanting and encouragement of families and friends. The procession starts from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple Temple and ends at Sri Thandayuthapani Temple. At the end of the pilgrimage, devotees experience a sense of peace and joy while visitors marvel at the power of faith.
  

• Vesak Day (18 May 2000)
  Vesak Day is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar and it is to commemorate Lord Buddha's entry into Nirvana after having attained spiritual enlightenment. In the temples, monks chant holy sutras and devotees release captive birds as a mark of respect to all living creatures and to gain merit. Come and join the festivity at Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple. Temple etiquette requires visitors to be dressed appropriately.
  

• Deepavali Light-up and Festival Village (October)
  Hindus rejoice the triumph of light over darkness and of good over evil with Deepavali, the Festival of Lights. This joyous occasion is celebrated on a grand scale in Little India. The streets are festooned with garlands, streamers and fiary lights and beautiful arches form a gateway to the street bazaars. Even the Sri Veeramakaliamman, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman and Sri Srinivasa Perumal temples are brightly lit, turning the whole of Serangoon Road into a fairyland of lights and festivity. To enjoy festive shopping and catch cultural performances, the Deepavali Festival Village at Campbell Lane is a must.
  
  Temple etiquette requires visitors to be dressed appropriately.
  

• Navarathiri Festival (October)
  Navarathiri, means "nine nights" in Tamil and the festival is especially dedicated to three Hindu goddness: Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. For nine nights, the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple at Tank Road echoes with exotic Indian music, songs and dances in their honour. This nine-night festival is divided into three segments of three nights, each dedicated to one goddess at one time. On the tenth night, a dramatic procession closes the celebration. Look out for the magnificent silver horse that leads a congregation of devout followers in colourful Indian attire. Over at other Hindu temples, such as those in Little India, visitors can attend evening prayer sessions and performances of classical Indian music and dance from 7.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly.
  
  Temple etiquette requires visitors to be dressed appropriately and shoes to be removed at the doors.
  

• Silver Chariot Procession (November)
  On the evening of the Firewalking Festival, the Goddness Sri Draupadi of Sri Mariamman Temple is set within a towering, beautifully decorated silver chariot for the procession that travels around Chinatown and Little India. In the procession, the chariot stops at Lion Sithi Vinagar Temple and another 4 sites in Little India - Campbell Lane (next to Little India Arcade), Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple and Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple. At these stops, you can catch a glimpse of Hindu devotees and priests making offerings to the deity on the chariot.