Singapore’s Little India

Little India is a favourite tourist destination in Singapore. The city-state is a melting pot of various cultures such as Malaysian, Chinese, and Indian, which makes it an interesting place to visit despite its size. Little India is an ethnic Indian neighbourhood that is a tourist attraction in itself.

The Little India community hosts a line of shops selling Indian saris, golden bangles, incense, and Bollywood stuff. Store signs are mostly in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, or other exotic Indian writings. Little India is located along the Serangoon Road. Visitors, who could explore the long stretch by foot, would surely find themselves enchanted by incense wafting out from the shops and all the good things they have to offer.

Festivals

The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is one of Little India’s top attractions. The temple dates back to 1881 but its present structure was finished in 1986. Admission to the temple is free. It is busiest on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Festivals at Little India never fail to draw foreign tourists every year. One of these is the Thaipusam, which is held in January or February during the full moon. During the festivities, men attach ornate shrines to their skin using piercing hooks while female devotees carry pots of milk over their heads. All of them participate in a procession that starts at the Sri Srinavasa Perumal Temple and ends in the Sri Mariammam Temple in Chinatown.

Other festivals include the Deepavali or the Hindu Festival of Light and the Thimithi or the Walking Festival. The Deepavali occurs in October or November while the Thimithi, where a ritual wherein devotees walking over burning coal is a main attraction, happens near the start of the Deepavali.

Shopping and Dining

Little India is also considered a major shopping district in Singapore. Among the most popular venues where guests are sure to find great bargains are the Mustafa Centre, the Sim Lim Square, the Little India Arcade, and the Tekka Mall.

There is also a wide variety of dining choices. Native Indian food are readily available as well as vegetarian dishes. International delicacies are also served. Among the most popular eating stopovers are the Jaggis North Indian Cuisine, the Kasturi Restaurant, the Komala Vilas, the Saravana Bhavan, and the Banana Leaf Apolo.

Accommodations
Accommodations in Little India are not hard to find. Take your pick from budget, mid-range, or luxurious hostels and hotels around the district. Some tourist favourites are Ali’s Nest, The Inn Crowd, and the Empire Residences hostels. Popular hotels include the Ambassador Hotel, the Penta Hotel, the Aspinals Hotel, and the Claremont Hotel.

The Claremont Hotel, a newly renovated property in the heart of Little India, is currently offering the 2+1 Promo, which entitles guests to a free night’s stay for every 2-night booking. The package, which also covers a free breakfast for two, stands until year end.

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