How to Celebrate Diwali in Singapore
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is an important celebration in Singapore. It serves to bring together all of the citizens, regardless of their religion. Originally a Hindu religious observance, Diwali is an important part of the culture in Singapore, celebrated by Muslims and Christians, as well.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
-
Celebrate Diwali in Singapore
-
1
Determine the actual dates of this year's Diwali celebration in Singapore. This should be centered on the new moon phase in the middle of the Hindu month of Kartik, which usually occurs in late October to early November.
-
2
Contact a knowledgeable travel agent to help you plan your trip to Singapore. Book your flight and your hotel accommodations well in advance, since Diwali is a popular time to visit countries that are predominantly Hindu.
-
3
Focus your celebration of Diwali in the Little India section of Singapore, which is located along Serangoon Road. The streets will be filled with families and archways will be decorated with flowers and garlands. Diyas, which are small clay pots filled with oil, will be lit and placed everywhere.
-
4
Make sure to purchase plenty of sparklers for any children traveling with you so they can celebrate Diwali, as well. The streets will be filled with children waving sparklers, so take the time to remind everyone to use caution so that they won't be accidentally burned.
-
5
Visit one of the 18 temples in Singapore to pray and pay your respects during Diwali. Outsiders are not only welcomed into the temples, but encouraged to visit, which is the custom during Diwali.
-
6
Have your hands painted with henna art, which is a traditional way to celebrate Diwali in Singapore, as well as other countries. This is an exciting way to feel like you are part of the celebration and often it is done for free by local artists.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The celebration of Diwali in Singapore differs from other countries in that the use of fireworks is generally prohibited, with the exception of sparklers. This is due to noise restrictions.
Use a Hindu calendar, like the one found on Hindunet.org, to find the exact dates of this year's Diwali celebration (see Resources below).
Singapore is a very densely populated city-state, with most of its citizens living in high-rise apartment buildings. This means that the streets will be extremely crowded during Diwali, so beware of pickpockets.
