Singapore Deepavali Holiday
Deepavali is the most important of all Hindu festivals. It is celebrated by Hindus worldwide every year. Under the Singapore Employment Act, public holidays for the upcoming years from Deepavali 2020 are as follows:
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Oct 2019 | Sunday* | Deepavali 2019 |
| 28 Oct 2019 | Monday | Deepavali Holiday 2019 |
| 14 Nov 2020 | Saturday | Deepavali 2020 |
| 4 Nov 2021 | Thursday | Deepavali 2021 |
| 24 Oct 2022 | Monday | Deepavali 2022 |
| 12 Nov 2023 | Sunday* | Deepavali 2023 |
| 13 Nov 2023 | Monday | Deepavali Holiday 2023 |
| 1 Nov 2024 | Friday | Deepavali 2024 |
Note: Any holidays that fall on a Sunday will be replaced the following Monday. The dates in the table above are an estimate and will be updated once official dates are announced.
Discover more about Deepavali in Singapore and How Best to Celebrate it
Deepavali, also known as the Festive of Lights, is one of the most important celebrations among the Hindus. Deepavali is a festive dedicated to commemorate the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. In Singapore, this day is categorised as a national holiday.
Deepavali features all kinds of colorful light displays in clay lamps to light up public places and private residences. The lighting of the oil lamps by the Hindu symbolizes that “light has conquered darkness”.
What is Deepavali All About in Singapore?
In places like India, Deepavali celebrations could last up to five days. However, in Singapore, it only lasts for a day. The date of Deepavali changes depending on the Hindu calendar. However, it will usually fall between mid-October and mid-November.
About the Celebrations of Deepavali in Singapore
Deepavali celebrations in Singapore starts early in the morning. The Hindus would start the day by bathing in oil and dressing up in colorful clothing before visiting the local temples for prayers. Back at their own homes, there would always be various ritualistic decorations done to mark the day. This includes decking out the doors with green mango leaves, lighting clay lamps and drawing the floor with rangoli.
Just like any other Hindu celebrations, Deepavali celebrations feature a variety of food. If you are in Singapore, such a celebration cannot go unnoticed. You can expect to find exotic Hindu dishes such as rice-flour pancakes, deep-fried dough covered in syrup, sweets made of mung beans, lentil cakes and different kinds of yogurt.
You can always expect huge crowds along the streets at Little India District during Deepavali. Unfortunately, the Hindu markets and stalls there are likely to be closed during Deepavali. Nonetheless, these are the places where visitors can shop for pretty flower garlands, crafts, souvenirs and Hindu jewelry. You can also find several hand painters who are experience in drawing beautiful flowers and designs on your hand!
What to do during Deepavali Celebrations in Singapore
Despite the Hindu population in Singapore takes up only about 10%., Deepavali celebrations happen in nearly every part of the small city as the general population also joins in this joyous celebration. Regardless of whether you are a Hindu, there are few things worth trying during Deepavali in Singapore-:
Visit the two famous Hindu Temples
Join in the fun in celebrating Deepavali by visiting the two famous Hindu temples in Singapore. The first temple is the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. This temple has been around since mid-17th century and represents the long history of the Hindu religion. At the temple, you can expect to see countless statues of Hindu gods, and is able to enjoy the beauty and the grandeur of the temple.
Another temple worth visiting is the Sri Mariamman Temple, where the annual Fire Walking Festival takes place. During Deepavali festival, the participants walks over hot coal as a demonstration of purity levels which they have attained, and participate in the Silver Chariot Procession the following day at the same temple. During the procession, a chariot will carry the goddess of Draupadi along the way from the temple to Little India. Among the Hindus, it is believed that this procession brings back blessings and good luck to the community.
Visit the Deepavali Festival Village
Deepavali Festival Village is an annual bazaar, covering an area of over 15,000 square feet. You can expect to find unique gifts, souvenirs, trinkets, colorful clothing, and several food stalls serving a blend of India and Singapore cuisines. Plenty of options on how you can spend your day there.
Visit Friends
If you have Indian friends and colleagues, you are likely to be invited to visit their houses and join them in the celebrations. This can be a chance for you to learn more about Deepavali and the Indians. It is also a good time to enjoy some authentic Indian homemade cuisines prepared by your friends.
Get Henna
If you visit Little India on this day, high chances that you will leave with some henna paintings. Alternatively, you can always head over to the Visitor’s Center in search of the best henna artists in town. On Deepavali, henna panting is free, so don’t worry about paying a dime.
