Little India

The Little India, Singapore is an area which thrives in Indian cultural elements. Little India in Singapore is situated to east of the Singapore River and to the north of Kampong Glam. Both these areas are maintained and falls under the urban planning area of Rochor.

Little India, under the Raffles Plan of Singapore, was originally a part of colonial Singapore and was specially an area where Indian immigrants resided under the British policy of ethnic segregation. The Little India area, as it has been observed is seen that it evolved around a spot where the Indian convicts had formerly settled. The location of the Little India, along the Serangoon River made the place favorable for raising cattle and to excel the trade in livestock.

With other certain specific economic activities that developed around this place made the place look like an Indian neighborhood by the turn of the 20th century. Although, as per the name, Little India, the population did not remain secluded only to the Indians but people of many other races and sects are also seen involved in various chores in this area.

Serangoon Road is the main commercial public road in Little India. The Serangoon Road intersects Rochor Canal Road and Bukit Timah Sungei Road. The Tekka Centre, the Tekka Mall, the Little India Arcade, Serangoon Plaza, and the Mustafa Centre are among the busiest shopping complexes and commercial hubs. Petain Road in Little India was built in the year 1916 and is known to feature Singaporean Chinese architecture.

For entertainment and relaxation of the people who reside here, Farrer Park Fields is one such destination. For people who wish to visit some temples, mosques or churches, Little India has a lot in store within its vicinity. The Foochow Methodist Church, Kampong Kapor Methodist Church, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Angullia Mosque, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, Jalan Mosque, and the Central Sikh Gurdwara are among the most prominent places of worship in Little India, Singapore.

The Abdul Gafoor Mosque which was built in the year 1859 is also noted for its architectural brilliance with Arabian- and Renaissance-style. The prayer hall of this mosque is decorated with Moorish arch-work. Another most visited place of worship here is the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, which was built in the year 1855. Thai monk, Vuthisasara also established The Buddhist Sakyamuni Buddha Gaya Temple here in the year 1927. Leong San See Temple is dedicated to Guanyin, the Chinese Boddhisattva of Mercy. The festivals that are held here are also worth a watch. Thaipusam, Deepavali and Thimithi are among the most important festivals that are celebrated here.

While in Little India, Singapore one can get into the pleasure of buying some authentic and exclusive Indian stuffs from the shops. Spices, incense stick, silverware, brassware, silk saris and wood and metal products can be bought as a souvenir while on a trip to Little India.
Reaching Little India is easy as it is one of the major tourist attractions in Singapore and it is therefore that the area is well connected to all parts of the city by public modes of transport.