Little India is located towards the east of Singapore, a little away from Chinatown. The place is home to the local Tamil community and is known as Tekka. Little India has a number of different shops and is home to places like the Tekka Mall, Serangoon Plaza, and the Little India Arcade. You will also see that the area has a number of temples and mosques that you can explore.
Little India is a district in the Chulia Kampong area and most of the population of the area consist of Tamil Indians. Back in 1940’s the Europeans used to live here for the racecourse and they started hiring Indian immigrants, which is the reason why temples and mosques were built. There are so many things to do in Little India that it will take you an entire day to explore the place. The best way to explore the area is on foot and you should walk down the Serangoon Road and eat the amazing South and North Indian food. You should also explore the Mustafa Centre that offers a variety of different things and pay a visit to the Tekka Centre because that is the main centre of sari stores and goldsmith shop in Singapore. If you want to experience the joyous celebrations of the local population, you should visit Little India during Pongal (in January) or during Diwali (usually falls in October or November. Some of the other things to do in Little India include visiting the popular tourist attractions like The Zhujiao Centre, Temple of Sri Veeramakaliamman, Temple of 1000 Lights and the House of Tan Teng Niah.
Little India is one of the largest Indian communities of Singapore and you can reach the place via the Farrer Park station. The main attraction is the town itself that consist of little houses, mosques, temples, and several eateries. There is so much that you can do in the area like enjoying the local festivals of Thaipusam, Deepavali, and Thimithi. A lot of people generally visit the area to buy Indian goods, so if you want to buy souvenirs you can check out places like the City Square Mall, Little India Arcade, Mustafa Centre, Naranjan Electronics, Sim Lim Square, Tekka Market, and The Verge Shopping Mall. Make sure that you try the local food and eat at the famous restaurants like Banana Leaf Apolo, Chye Seng Huat Hardware, Countryside Cafe & Bar, Delhi Restaurant, Drink, Jaggis North Indian Cuisine, Jewel Cafe and Bar, Jungle TandoorRestaurant, KasturiRestaurant, Khansama, tandoori Restaurant, Khansama, Muthus Curry, Old Hen Coffee Bar, and the Selmor Restaurant. Some of the most famous point of interest in the area are House of Tan Teng Niah, Leong San Temple, Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, and the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple.
India town is a place that carries its own origin and instincts, Indian markets are actually something to see. You can check out the very beautiful India over here, there are so many things to see like the culture, the customs, the people who reside and many more. This place recognized as India town is kind of a paradise for the local entities.
You can check out how the garlands are hanging on the shops, it looks absolutely refreshing and beautiful. You can see temples and other Indian elements which actually looks great in all aspects, Indians feel that this place is like a heaven for them because they get every type of benefits like restaurants, markets that consists of Indian items etc.
The whole ambience looks so colorful and peaceful which makes it an eye pleasing instinct. There are buildings as well which have those Indian carvings and paints that smell so fresh. Altogether India town is an ace in itself.
Thinking about the things to do in Little India? You will be pleased to know that the entire area is extremely famous among tourist who love to explore the mosques and temples. One of the biggest temples of the area includes the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple that is located to the goddess Kali. The place was built by a number of Bengali laborers back in 1881.The things to do in the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple include exploring the beautiful architecture and looking at the images of Kali wearing the garland of skulls, killing her victims by ripping their insides, and pictures of Kali’s son Murugan and Ganesha.
The temple is constructed in Tamilian style and is extremely aesthetically pleasing. The temple was harmed during the air raids of the Second World War, but the reconstruction work began in 1983. In 1986 the workers came across the old statues of the building while digging in the compound. The total reconstruction cost was around 2.2 million Singaporean dollars and the temple now boasts of a beautiful Gate tower, eight main domes and several minor domes that were built in three years.
Visiting the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple should be in your list of things to do in little India. The temple is located on the Serangoon Road and has the privilege of being the oldest temple in Singapore. A large complex of the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu where there is a tall tower that shows different incarnations of him. The complex dates back to 1855, but it was rebuilt n 1966.
The things to do in Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple include exploring the architecture and learning about the history of the place. It is said that a stream used to flow around the temple once and there are marks that show where the stream used to flow. The temple is the centre of the Hindu trinity that includes Shiva the destroyer, Vishnu the preserver, and Brahma the creator. The temple also has statues if Andal and Laxmi and its ceiling have beautiful circular patterns that depict the nine planets. The opening hours of the temple are from 06:30 - 12:00 and 18:00 - 21:00 every day. You can easily access the temple by the Farrer Park Station that is located on the north-east MRT Line.
Visiting Sakya Muni Buddhi Gaya Temple or the temple of 1,000 lights should be on your list things to do in Little India. The temple is a Buddhist monastery that was set up by the Vutthisara of Thailand and is one of the most visited temples of the country. The temple is aesthetically pleasing and its focal point ids a 15 meter statue of seated Buddha that weighs around 300 tones. The statue is covered in gold leaves on the Vesak day that is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Buddha.
The things to do in the Sakya Muni Buddhi Gaya Temple include exploring the interior of the building.
The central statue is decorated by light bulbs that are lit during the temple hours and the reason why the place is also known as the temple of 1,000 lights. You will see that the architecture of the building has been done in Thai style and the entrance of the building has yellow tigers that are a symbol of vitality and protection. The temple also has a small room that has an image of reclining Buddha under a Yellow Seraka Tree. The temple is open from 8.00 am and 4.45 pm daily and admission is free.
Mustafa Centre is a 24 hour shopping mall that is located on the Syed Alwi Road in Little China, a little distance away from the Farrer Park station. The place offers a unique shopping experience, which is why visiting it should be on your list of things to do in Little India. The mall has two department stores that are joined together with goods under the Mustafa name. Te place is great for souvenirs and gifts as you will be able to buy high quality accessories at affordable prices.
There are so many things to do in Mustafa Centre. You can shop in the indoor market that sells over 300,00 local and imported items like electronic goods, jewelry and watches, grocery items, supermarket goods, health and beauty products, textiles, and other materials. Mustafa Centre also has a rooftop restaurant known as Kebabs ‘n Curries that serves Asian food and is open every day from 5 pm till 2 am. Mustafa Café is another eatery that is located in the ground floor and offers Asian and Western food. The café is open 24 hours and the food is really cheap. They also have a set lunch option that includes items like Indian curry, Singaporean noodles, burgers, and biryani.
Wondering about the things to do in Little India? Add visiting the House of Tan Teng Niah to the list that is hardly a minute away from the MRT Station in Little India. This Chinese Villa has been done in unique style that will surely grab your attention. Some of the things to do in the House of Tan Teng Niah include exploring the architecture and learning about the history of the place. Tan Teng Niah had a confectionary business and he resided at the Serangoon Road area. It is said that the house is more than a century old that adds to its appeal.
The House of Tan Teng Niah was built in 1900 has eight rooms that has been done in European and Southern Chinese style. The house was restored in the 1980’s and won the Singapore Institute of Architects Honorable Mention Award in 1991. The house has carriage gates on both the sides that open in a courtyard, whereas the roof has been done with bamboo tiles. The bright and vivid colors of the House of Tan Teng Niah make it one of the most colorful buildings of Singapore.
