Located east of the Singapore River, Little India is one of the most visited districts in Singapore. The place is famous for its religious sites which include Hindu and Buddhist temples along with a 19th-century Mosque. In the early 19th century, it was an important spot for Europeans because of the presence of a racecourse in the area. As the cattle trading business took over, the place started getting an Indian makeover because of the large number of migrant workers from India settling in. If you're planning a trip to Singapore, exploring Little India should definitely be on your itinerary, and you might want to consider a Singapore tour package that includes this vibrant and historically rich neighborhood.
Later on, the goods & services business flourished, and a lot of Hindu temples and Mosques were built. Today, Little India is one among the most vibrant cities of Singapore because of its Indian and mixed cultured flavours. Along Serangoon road, there are multiple Indian eateries and restaurants where you can try traditional South Indian food, Northern tandoori recipes and some local cuisines like Roti-Prata and Teh-Tarik (pulled hot tea).
You can also visit the brewers who pull hot milk in a unique way, which is a delight to watch. Another famous spot in Little India is the Mustafa Center shopping mall which is open for 24 hours. Just like a festive Indian market, Little India has got roofless Tekka Center, goldsmiths, and Saree stores. Little India attracts most visitors during the Indian festive seasons, i.e. near October and November for Deepavali and during mid-January for Pongal.
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Little India Singapore Highlights
• The place boasts of a charming and colourful vibe which reflects the exact aura of a regular Indian market.
• Inside Little India lies the oldest hindu temple of Singapore - Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple.
• If you are a celebration fanatic and wish to indulge in Indian festivals then visit here around Diwali and Holi.
• The alleyways here offer a bohemian-hipster vibe, hence you will find a wide variety of murals and wall paintings for a perfect backdrop of your pictures.
• The Little Indian Arcade located inside Little India boasts of numerous small stalls selling souvenirs with Indian origin.
• If you are a lover of spicy food then head over to the Khansama Tandoor Restaurant and relish on numerous non vegetarian delicacies ranging from kebabs to keemas.
• For vegetarian people, the Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant is the perfect bet as it offers a wide menu having different types of Indian regional dishes like appam and rasam.
• Get your bargain skills ready as the markets here will let you shop for numerous fancy items at very reasonable prices.
• Do not forget to mark a visit at the Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple, which is a Thai-Buddhist temple and has been kept alive by the Chinese during the second world war.
How To Reach Little India Singapore
There are several ways to reach Little India from Changi Airport. Listed below are all the options that you may consider depending upon your time and budget:
1. The most recommended option is by taking the subway from Changi to Bugis, which is a 42 minutes travel, including the 2-minute transfer at Tanah Merah.
2. If you are looking for a more economical option then you can take the Line 36 bus from Changi Airport PTB3 to the Rendezvous Grand Hotel, this option will cost you around INR 50-160.
3. If you have managed to get your own car on the airport, then it's a 19.5 km drive with an approximate fuel cost of INR 180-270, depending upon the vehicle and traffic. You can also hire a taxi on the same route which will cost you around INR 1300 – 1600.
4. There are on-demand shuttles available from Changi Airport to Little India MRT Station with a little travel time of around 16 minutes and at the cost of 1000 INR. Similarly, you can also hire a Towncar on the price of INR 1800-2600 with the same travel time as the shuttle.
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Best Time To Visit Little India Singapore
Like the rest of Singapore, Little India also has the same weather throughout the year. Most of the temples and other places of worship are open for visitors in the early morning itself while the shops and the restaurants are open by 10 AM.
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Get a glimpse of Chinese culture the House of Tan Teng Niah
If the beautiful and colorful buildings fascinate you then get ready to enjoy a scenic picture in front of you. The House of Tan Teng Niah is a double storeyed building and is one of the last remaining Chinese architecture buildings in Little India. Dating back to the 1900s, this building is now largely famous among photographers as its colourful architecture offers a perfect backdrop.
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Visit the abode of Krishna at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
The external features of the temple may look similar to the Sri Veeramakaliamman, but there are idols of other deities too in the main worship area.
Location: 397 Serangoon Road
Timings: Daily from 6.15 am to noon and from 6 PM to 9 PM
Mandatory Shopping at the Mustafa Center
If you are a shopping enthusiast and want to visit a place which offers numerous handmade items at rock bottom prices then the mustafa Centre is the perfect place for you. This shopping complex is divided into different floors where each floor is finely divided into different sections. From handicrafts to electronics and from souvenirs to spices and curry pastes, this place has shops for every item you are looking for. During the Indian festivals like eid or diwali, one can find the shopping centre beautifully decorated from inside out.
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Get enlightened at the Temple of Thousand Lights
The temple is named so because of the chain of lamps surrounding the Buddha statue, which is 15-meters tall and weighs 300 tonnes. This early 20th-century temple is a must-visit for those who seek a peaceful and enlightening atmosphere.
Location: 366 Race Course Road
Timings: Daily from 8 AM to 4.30pm
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Explore Indian Heritage Centre
The Indian Heritage centre is a cultural centre as well as a museum located in the heart of Little India, Singapore. The place is finely divided into different sections where each of it highlights different aspects of Indian Culture. From handicrafts to age-old artefacts, this museum is dotted with numerous items as well as relics which give you an idea about the culture of India
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Visit Abdul Gaffoor Mosque
If the beautiful architecture of mosques excite you then make sure that you visit the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque in Little India. With its bright yellow and green colour, this mosque exhibits a striking beauty and can be noticed from far away. While the mosque does not allow women to enter, men can visit here anytime and enjoy a fun session of photography or a pious session of prayers.
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Pay a Visit to the Temples
When exploring Little India in Singapore, do not forget to mark a visit to its temples which offer a vibe of Diverse India. These temples, with their scenic backdrops and beautiful architecture, never fail to amaze the visitors. Some of the must visit temples located within the vicinity of Little India include - Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple and the Temple of 1000 lights.
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Tourism Board Alliances
Little India FAQs
What is Little India?
Little India is the hub of the large Indian community in Singapore, and it is famous among visitors for its rich cultural flavours and vibrant street markets. It's located along the Eastern side of the Singapore River and is on an easy approach from the airport. Little India's primary attraction is the collection of street stalls, temples, old buildings, and shopping centres.
Visitors mainly come to the place for an original taste of Indian food, authentic Indian wear and other products like herbs and medicines. The place is generally packed with tourists during all the months, but the real festive colours can be witnessed during Deepavali and Pongal.
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How do I get to Little India, Singapore?
The convenient entry points in the area are Little India and Farrer Park Stations of the North-East MRT Lines. Bugis Station is also a few hundred meters away, and it lies on the East-West Line. Two new stations, namely Rochor and Jalan, are also operational now, and they are near the Sim Lim Tower.
Getting a taxi to Little India can be difficult on weekends because of the rush, but you can always book one using the phone. If you wish to arrive from the Airport directly, then you can take the subway or drive down in a car which will take you around 45 minutes for 17 kilometers.
What is unique about Little India, Singapore?
There are vibrantly painted shop-houses that reflect an Indian touch. Numerous signboards written in Indian languages like Tamil, Hindi, and Bangla can be found on the shop fronts. Strolling down the walkway, you can spot roadside stalls that sell Indian garments like Saree and pieces of jewelry like bangles and churas. You can hear the hymns of Temple aartis along with Church bells and Azaan from the Mosque, early in the morning. How can one forget to mention the exquisite Indian food that is available in every corner of Little India?
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How long does it take to visit and view the entire Little India Singapore?
Though the time taken to explore entire Little India varies according to your interests, it will be better if you dedicate one day to this special place. Little India's main centre is Serangoon Road, which begins at Rochor Canal Road and continues northward to the Serangoon region, where it finally ends at Punggol. The entire area is concentrated with tourists but can be easily covered on foot. If you take into account the travel time from the airport, then it will take you another 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach Little India.
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