Singapore is home to a multitude of ethnicities such as Taoists, Chinese, Indians, and Malays. It is also home to a sizeable expatriate population; in fact, it is one of the largest expat communities in the world. Every year, hundreds of immigrants come to these shores in search of better opportunities and a better future.

Once you travel east of the Singapore River, opposite Chinatown, the urban relief changes to a “Little India.” As its name suggests, it is flourished by an exclusive Tamil community. You can reach the city via the MRT North East line and get off at the Little India or Farrer Park stations near Serangoon Road. The MRT lines are probably the most convenient way to get around. The town is said to have been originally formed by a group of Tamil convicts, today “Little India” and its unique community is catered for by the People’s Action Party (PAP) with a policy to preserve racial settlement.

There are excellent Indian restaurants and restaurants that serve authentic South Indian cuisine. You should try to eat rice and a banana leaf curry while you’re here. The city has a quaint small-town feel and buildings that wouldn’t look out of place in South India. It makes a walk through this place quite exciting. You can buy anything related to Tamil culture like cooking ingredients, utensils, Tamil clothing and more. The streets emanate sandalwood, jasmine, saffron and other spices. The central streets of Little India are lined with stalls selling all kinds of Indian goods: shops selling ethnic jewelry, silk saris, silverware, brass, and even garlands. Visit Little India Cultural Corner at Little India Arcade for a lesson on traditional Tamil artifacts. The place displays traditional items and has signs explaining the use and meaning of the items. Walk into a garland shop and watch as they assemble jasmine flowers into beautiful garlands; These garlands are used in festivals, to adorn shrines, and even garland statuettes. You can even try to adorn your hands with beautiful designs using Mehndi.

The Abdul Gaffoor Mosque is a majestic display showcasing the elaborate styles of Moorish and Renaissance architecture. The temple of 1000 lights is another famous attraction in Little India, but there are many more temples for tourists, such as the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, which are magnificent structures in their own right. The Leon San See Temple is a Buddhist temple and is a great way to see some of Singapore’s Chinese architecture. Portraying the influence of Catholicism on the Tamil community, one can find old Methodist churches like Foochow Methodist Church and Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

An ideal time to visit Little India would be during Deepavali, the festival of lights, when the streets and shops are lit up and Tamils ​​flock to the streets to do their shopping in preparation for the event. The Thaipusam festival, which usually takes place in the early months of the year, is also celebrated in Little India with male devotees hanging shrines to their bodies with the use of hooks and walking in processions throughout the day along with the famous festival. by the devotees walking. through a carpet of burning coal. Is named timithi. At the right time, witnessing such an experience will make the visit to Little India unforgettable.