Festival of Lights

SINCE INDIAN MIGRANTS brought the celebration of Deepavali to the shores of Singapore in the 1900s, Little India has been gleaming with festive revelry - with shoppers splashing out on clothes, textiles, jewellery, flowers, snack ingredients and decor whenever the season looms near. In 1985, the large scale light-up of Little India was introduced - living up to its name, diwali, which literally means "row of lights".

The event grew more elaborate in 1999 with the use of fireworks and lights spread over a greater area. Other activities are nowadays added to the celebrations too, including a countdown concert and craft exhibition. Sometimes temples prepare dishes such as vegetable rice for visitors, while tourists converge on Little India to share in the colourful, convivial atmosphere.