Singapore is the smallest country in Southeast Asia, but attracts a large number of tourists each year. A dynamic city that is a rich blend of various culture, tradition, arts and cuisine. Brimming with unbridled energy, Singapore embodies the finest of both East and West. The city is colored with shades of various festive events of different religious beliefs throughout the year. The socio-cultural fabric of Singapore is a rich blend of Chinese, Mandarin, Malay, Thai, Tamil and Eurasian influence. The festivals of Singapore are a manifestation of this cultural vibrancy of Singapore.
Thaipusam is one of the prime festivals of Singapore and is an auspicious festival of the Hindus. It is celebrated on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Thai. It is the day when the goddess Parvati asked her son Murugan to annihilate the demons. The festival celebrations are held at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple and Sri Thandayuthapani Temple in Little India. Men pierce their bodies their bodies with barbs and metal dips while women and children carry pots of symbolic milk. The festival is all about survival, persistence, determination, sacrifice and affliction.
Vesak or Buddha Day is celebrated throughout Singapore in April or May. Buddhist monks chant holy sutras to commemorate Lord Buddha's entry into Nirvana. The prayers are followed by the ritual of releasing confined birds and small animals to freedom. Some Buddhist youth celebrate the festival by organizing blood donation camps and by giving away gifts to the poor. The festival is then concluded by a candle-lit procession being carried throughout the street.
Chinese New Year celebrations run up to 42 days during January and February depending on the Chinese calendar. Chinese call it "Xin Nian". As a part of the festival preparations, the Chinese decorate their houses, paint their doors and windows red and decorate them with colorful paper-cuttings. They also delicious food, stitch new clothes and buy presents to friends and family. The Chingay Parade is probably the most spectacular event of the festival which is held along Orchard Road. The Parade attractions include lion dancers, slit-walkers, samba-dancers and floats.
Lantern Festival is celebrated on the full moon of the Chinese New year in honor of Lord Buddha. As a part of the celebration, people make lanterns, light fireworks, prepare delicacies and enjoy folk dances. The streets are filled with delicious mooncakes, fruits, pastries and ornamental lanterns. People float lanterns on the lake, which makes an absolute heavenly sight. The lion dancers wander around the street with cymbals and drums followed by celestial prince and princess. There is also the Children's Lantern Parade with hundreds of children parading down the streets of Chinatown with colorful lanterns.
Deepavali is the "festival of lights" of the Hindus. It falls between the solar months of October and November. Little India is brightened up with the colorful lamps and decorated with beautiful garlands. Crowds gather at the Sri Mariamman Temple to watch the barefoot Hindu devotees walk across a pit of red hot embers without showing any signs of pain. The Hindus decorate their houses with lamps, dress up in traditional clothes, prepare sweets and exchange gifts as a part of the celebration.
Hari Raya Puasa, also known as Iduladha or Qurban in Singapore is an auspicious festival of the Muslims. It does not fall on any particular day but the date generally falls on the twelfth and last month of the Islamic calendar. This day is celebrated to herald a conclusion to the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca. On this auspicious day of Hari Raya Haji Festival, goats or buffaloes are sacrificed ritually in the name of Allah (god) and the meat is given to the destitute and the poor. Muslims offer prayers in mosques and visit friends and relatives. Like Christmas. This is an auspicious day for shopping and good food is a part of the celebration plans.
Other important festival days in Singapore include Gods Festival, Christmas, Dumpling Festival and Hungry Ghosts Festival.
Other than religious festivals, there are other exiting events which take place in Singapore. Singapore Food Festival, Singapore Arts Festival, National Day, Great Singapore Sale and Dragon Boat Race are popular entries into this list.
To get a flavor of Singapore culture, you can catch up with celebrations of one of these festivals happening at the time of your visit to Singapore.
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