Bored at home? Nothing to better to do? Why not take a trip to little India? Little India is a district in Singapore that is unlike any other. It is part of the popular cultural precincts on the tourist circuit, along with Chinatown and Kampong Glam. Temples and mosques, street art, and brilliantly painted shophouses make up this bustling cultural enclave. Come with me on a virtual tour to Singapore’s one and only little India!
Mustafa Centre is Singapore’s version of Don Quijote. Mustafa Centre is a 24-hour store that offers textile, watches and pretty much everything. The mall is made up of two department shops that have been combined to sell goods under the Mustafa brand and are organized by category.
One of the main attractions is the jewellery department, where gold can be acquired at a low price. The centre is also a great place to buy Asian-inspired gifts to take home. Accessories here are wonderful bargains, ranging from bags to one-of-a-kind costume jewellery that are typically created with an exotic ethnic character.
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, also known as Soonambu Kambam Kovil, is a Hindu temple in the heart of Little India in Singapore’s southern region. The temple began as a shrine devoted to the Hindu goddess Kali in 1855, before being replaced in 1881 by a temple erected by Bengali laborers. The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, is dedicated to the goddess and destroyer of evil, Sri Veeramakaliamman or Kali, and is one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples.
Tekka Market was built in 1915 and was first called Kandang Kerbau Market. It got its name from a district which was associated with cattle and meat trade. The south Indians called the market “Mattu Kampong Pasar” in Tamil. These wet markets will have you covered if you’re seeking for meat, unusual fruits and herbs, middle eastern products and spices, or fresh-off-the-boat seafood.
If you are in the vicinity, it’s a must to check out the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC). Launched in 2015 and located in the heart of Little India, the IHC exhibits not just artifacts from the National Collection, but also those from the community. The five main galleries focus on five major themes, beginning with early interactions between South and Southeast Asia, pioneers and social and political awakening of the community in Singapore and Malaya and its pioneers, before ending with Indian contributions to the formation of Singapore as a nation. The best part is admission is FOC (free of charge) for Singaporeans and Permanent residents! There’s no reason not to check it out!
At the end of the day, you’ll always be learning Singapore’s history regardless of nationality, so why not start with Little India?
This article was brought to you by Han. I pretend to be broke in order to stay wealthy, yet I’m not wealthy.
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