Little India in Singapore resplendent and lit up for Deepavali 2022. In the first post-COVID Deepavali, Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) working with Little India Shopkeepeers and Heritage Association (LISHA), has added more reasons for Singaporeans and tourists to head to the precinct and specifically to IHC.
Maria Bhavani Dass, General Manager, National Heritage Board, Indian Heritage Centre, was excited to share, “This year we have the Big Bus Tour where people can enjoy the lighting on Serangoon road and the race course road.” Adding a new dimension to enjoy a trip to Little India from October 1 to 23.
As part of the annual celebration of the ‘Festival of Lights’, this year the Indian Heritage Centre’s (IHC) Deepavali Open House welcomes an exciting array of programmes this year.
In a first for IHC, visitors will be able to enjoy the annual Little India Deepavali street light-up and decorations on the Deepavali Big Bus Tour that will run over the Open House weekends. The customised open-top sightseeing bus tour provides the perfect introduction to the Little India precinct during the festive season and excellent photo opportunities from the top deck.
"We have interactive storytelling sessions; we also have the LEGO mural where we want people from the community to come and put the rangoli together," Maria said.
Visitors will be able to contribute to a LEGO mural inspired by rangoli designs, planned in collaboration with LEGO artist Jeffrey Kong. They will help to complete the mural by filling in its white outline with coloured LEGO bricks.
This year, IHC is partnerinig with the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) who have also set up displays and events in the IHC, including interactive displays and light decorations.
The crowd-favourite miniature replica of the Little India Deepavali street light-up arch along Campbell Lane returns as well. The decorated arch extends from the institution’s entrance to its stairwell, serving as the perfect backdrop. Visitors can also upload photos of themselves enjoying the light installations on social media and tag #IHCDeepavali to redeem limited-edition money packets.
"It is an up close and personal experience to capture the essence of light. After all, Deepavali is the festival of lights," Maria said.
Other Deepavali-themed programmes include craft workshops, cooking-demos, heritage trails, and evening trishaw rides. Registration is required for certain programmes at https://ihc-programmes.peatix.com. Admission to IHC is free for all.
The events organised by the IHC are focal points for not just the Indian community but the residents of Singapore at large; for them to learn more about Indian culture and this year for the Deepavali celebrations.
"One of the key focus points is for non-Indians to come in to learn about the history of Deepavali and take part in their immersive experiences so that they can learn more about Deepavali and the Indian community," Maria said.
If the little showcase of asura, (demon) Bhasmasura, which was enacted during the rollout of Deepavali plans are to go by, whether it is refreshing the tales connected with the festival or getting to know more about it is going to be an enjoyable experience.
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