Little India is a district located West of the Downtown area and originates in colonial Singapore operating under the British policy of ethnic segregation. This district also attracted farmers and other settlers because of the proximity to the river Serangoon, which played a crucial part in stock-raising. Little India is nowadays a melting pot of different cultures, although the atmosphere remains predominantly Indian. Chinese grocery and hardware stores are squeezed in between Indian restaurants and jewellery shops. The air smells of spices and food as the visual impacts of temples and busy streets entice tourists to wander off course. All your senses will surely be fulfilled here, and the buzzing feeling of being part of an intimate community inside a vibrant metropolis struck us.
Buddhist and Taoist temples are located in the same area as some of Singapore’s most prominent Hindu temples – Sri Srinivasa Perumal and Sri Veeramakaliamman. Tourists can easily visit both temples during the same visit in Little India, since distances are short and most sights are located on the same streets. Sri Veeramakaliamman was exceptionally busy when we visited it. People were meditating, praying and hanging out inside the temple, performing various different personal rituals in front of the many shrines and depictions of Hindu gods. Tourists were also eager to find the perfect angle to capture a picture of the horrifying goddess Kali.
All in all, Indians have indeed managed to build a new life here, one that is especially reflected in the flourishing diversity of different Indian states represented in local cuisine.
