Deepavali Celebrations 2011

The festival of lights

Diwali or Deepavali, commonly known as the Festival of Lights, marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year according to the Lunar Calendar. Hindus all over the world would celebrate the victory of good over evil or light over darkness, in which oil lamps are lit to thank the Gods for the happiness, knowledge, health and wealth received in their households.

In Singapore, houses are thoroughly cleaned and new clothes are bought during this season.  Temples such as Sri Veeramakaliamman, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman and Sri Srinivasa Perumal and streets in Little India are lit with a spectacular and dazzling array of display lights to welcome one and all.

23 Sep to 6 Nov, 7pm onwards – DEEPAVALI STREET LIGHT-UP
•    Race Course Lane and Kinta Road
Every Deepavali, locals and tourists alike throng these two streets to await the switch-on ceremony – where the whole of Little India comes alive when a multitude of lights comes on at 7pm.

23 Sep to 25 Oct, 11am onwards – DEEPAVALI HERITAGE & CRAFT EXHIBITION / BAZAAR / TRADE FAIR
•    Exhibition (Until 9pm): Deepavali Festival Village, Campbell Lane
•    Bazaar (Until 10pm): Deepavali Festival Village, Campbell Lane
•    Trade Fair (Until 11pm): Serangoon Road (opp Serangoon Plaza)
Buzzing with stalls offering colourful Indian outfits, intricate jewellery, costumes and arts and craft, the festive goodies on display are endless. Watch traditional craftsmen from the Heritage and Craft Exhibition fashion intricate pieces as you munch on local festive delicacies – found in sweet abundance for hungry shoppers after a night of shopping.

15 to 16 Oct – THIMITHI (FIREWALKING) FESTIVAL
•    15 Oct (late evening) / 16 Oct (early morning): South Bridge Road
Don’t miss the photo-opportunity of the season – the Thimithi (Fire-Walking) Festival. This annual ritual is held in Sri Mariamman Temple at South Bridge Road. Whip out your cameras and catch the barefooted young and old Hindus walk across a bed of white-hot embers in honour of Queen Draupadi of Mahabharata, which is a definite sight to behold.

25 Oct, 9pm onwards – DEEPAVALI COUNTDOWN CONCERT
End the celebration with a big bang at the Countdown Concert. Join local celebrities at Race Course Road in this spectacular open-air concert as they count down to the season’s closing.

Catch other event happenings going on simultaneously during this festive season!
•    27 Sep to 5 Oct: NAVARATHIRI FESTIVAL (NINE NIGHTS FESTIVAL) held at temples in Little India

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