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Festivals in Singapore |
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Singapore being a multi-religious country, people from different religions celebrate their festivals. Chinese population is the dominant in Singapore, so it’s obvious that major Chinese festivals are celebrated. Besides Chinese, few of the biggest Hindu festivals such as Diwali, Durga puja are also celebrated. Muslims are one of the prevailing religions and they too, celebrate their festivals in unique style. Though people from different religions are staying in Singapore, but all Festivals in Singapore are celebrated in peace and harmony. Some of the major festivals in Singapore are :
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 Chinese New Year
One of the biggest festivals in Singapore is the Chinese New Year falling on January or February depending on the Chinese calendar. It is a fifteen-day long affair where the Chinese take out time from their busy schedules and spend time feasting with their family and friends. A big procession called the 'Chingay' procession comprising traditional characters, music and dance is taken out by the Chinese, Indian and Malay community on the occasion of this festival.
The entire China town is decorated and lighted on this day and the festival is welcomed with dragon and lion dances and parades. You will also find colorful stalls selling everything from Chinese delicacies like love-letter cookies to red and gold colored cards as the smell of incense and flowers permeate the festive air.
Diwali Festival in Singapore
Another major festival celebrated by the Indian community in Singapore is 'Deepawali' or Diwali, which is also a National Holiday in Singapore. Though the authorities do not permit the bursting of firecrackers, the Hindu households celebrate this festival of lights in their own way by organizing Laxmi & Ganesh puja's at their residence and by offering prayers at the temples.
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Durga Puja Celebration
Durga Puja is also celebrated in Singapore. The Bengali Association of Singapore commemorates its Silver Jubilee this year (2006). The festivities are organized every year at the Singapore Khalsa Association (adjacent to the Civil Services Club) on Tessensohn Road. Indians (Bengali's and non Bengalis) as well as Bangladeshi's join in and participate in Singapore's Durga Puja.
The festivities may be on a miniature scale; but are authentic at the same time. From Rosogolla's (a very popular Bengali spongy sweet) to Hilsa Fish (Eelish) to Khichuri- every single Bengali delicacy is included in the Puja cuisine. The growing membership of the Singapore Bengali Association every year has made all this possible. Children of resident Bengali's take part in various song and dance activities and this makes the celebrations come alive.
Festival of Hungry Ghosts
This festival is celebrated in the month of September according to Chinese lunar calendar and is held as a mark of respect for the souls of the dead.
The Taoists Chinese believe that at this time of the year the 'Gates of Hell' are opened and the ghosts are free to roam the earth. The festival is a time for feasting and entertaining for the ghosts their only time on earth. The Chinese offer food to the ghosts and perform operas in their bid to placate the hungry ghosts. Children are forbidden to wander around after dusk and fake paper houses, money, cars, phones are burned to send them to the other world for the deprived ghosts.
A visit to Chinatown will give a glimpse of this superstitious tradition of the Chinese.
Hari Raya Puasa
This three day jocund affair marks the end of the Ramadan and is celebrated enthusiastically by the Muslim community.
It begins with sacrificing an animal at dawn and then prayers are held in the mosques.
On this occasion Muslims visit each other's homes and people who have undertaken pilgrimage to Mecca are given much attention and respect.
Thaipusam
Celebrated mainly by the Tamil Hindu community in Singapore, it pays tribute to Indumban an ardent devotee of Lord Murugan (Kartikeya). Normally falling in the month of October a popular belief is that any devotee undertaking to take the kavadi will have his wishes granted immediately.
On the day of the festival a procession is taken out from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Little India to the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road covering a stretch of 3 km. Devotees form the procession hoping to fulfill their wishes, the men carrying kavadis and the womenfolk carrying pots of milk.
The devotees offer pots of milk on the trident of the deity and then remove their kavadis. The festival concludes with a three-day fasting by the devotees.
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