Singapore's polyglot population
celebrates a number of festivals and events. Chinese, Hindu and Muslim
celebrations follow a lunar calendar so dates of festivities vary from
year to year.
New Year January or February
Chinese New Year, in January or February, is
welcomed in with dragon dances, parades and much good cheer. Chinatown
is lit up and there are fireworks and night markets. Food festivalJanuary or FebruaryDuring
Ramadan, food stalls are set up in the evening in the Arab Street
district, near the Sultan Mosque. Hari Raya Puasa, the end of Ramadan in
January or February, is marked by three days of joyful celebrations. Vesak DayApril or MayVesak
Day in April or May celebrates Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death.
It is marked by various events, including the release of caged birds to
symbolise the setting free of captive souls. Dragon Boat FestivalMay or JuneThe Dragon Boat
Festival, held in May or June, commemorates the death of a Chinese saint
who drowned himself as a protest against government corruption. It is
celebrated with boat races across Marina Bay. Hungry GhostSeptemberThe Festival of the
Hungry Ghosts is usually celebrated in September. This is when the
souls of the dead are released for feasting and entertainment on earth.
Chinese operas are performed for them and food is offered; the ghosts
eat the spirit of the food but thoughtfully leave the substance for the
mortal celebrants. ThaipusamThe festival of Thaipusam is one of the most
dramatic Hindu festivals and is now banned in India. Devotees honour
Lord Subramaniam with acts of amazing body-piercing masochism -
definitely not for the squeamish. In Singapore, devotees march in
procession from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on Serangoon Road to
the Chettiar Hindu Temple on Tank Road. Advertisement Cheap Hotel Bookings India India Cheap Hotel Rooms Singapore Air Ticket Cheap Cheap Travel Insurance Kailash Mansarovar Car Hire India India Tourism Travel Guide |