Culture Blog Entry 2: Self-directed learning

It is the time of the year again for Hindus to celebrate their most important festival – the Deepavali or the Diwali, which is popularly known as the “Festival of Lights”.

Just on the eve of Deepavali, I made a visit to Little India to immerse myself in the festive atmosphere, as Hindus prepare to usher into the New Year. The streets along Little India are beautifully lit up with light decorations (shown in Figure 1).

Figure 1: Little India streets beautifully lit up with light docorations

Historically, Little India is a district where majority of the Hindus in Singapore gather for their shopping to be done on the eve of Deepavali. It is Singapore’s foremost Indian enclave. The actual most happening area I hanged out was Serangoon Road, Race Course Road, Campbell Lane and Dunlop Street.

Before exploring any further, the first stop upon my arrival to Little India on the eve of Deepavali, was getting my stomach filled – where I indulged in one of the wide variety of authentic Indian cuisine served at the Sakunthala’s Food Palace – the Chicken Biryani and Mango Fish Curry (shown in Figure 2).

Figure 2: Sakunthala's Food Palace's Chicken Biryani

Next stop was a visit to the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple (shown in Figure 3) – a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kali, where I immersed myself into the cultural windows of religions, rites and rituals.

Figure 3: Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

Prior to entry, I washed both my foot and removed my footwear before I announced my arrival to the god by ringing the bell at the entrance of the temple. It is believed that ringing the bell wards off any evil spirits and as a note to the god of the devotees' presence for its blessing needed. Upon my entry; devotees were worshipping to different deities and have offerings such as floral garlands and bananas to donations, ready on hand to be accepted by the priest and in return for prayers, as they believe that they will be blessed (shown in Figure 4).

Figure 4: Bananas are given to the priest as an offering to the deities

Prayers were then passed to the worshippers thereafter (shown in Figure 5).

Figure 5: A priest giving a devotee his blessings

In addition, for a donation of $20, visitors are able to purchase a miniature brick (shown in Figure 6) with their names written on it, for blessing and supporting the temple’s building fund.

Figure 6: Miniature bricks purchased by devotees

Clay lamps filled with oil (shown in Figure 7) were lit up at the temple as it signifies the triumph of good over evil. They are also lit up in the Hindus’ home, as lighting of lamps is also a way of paying obeisance to the god for knowledge, peace, health and fame. It is also believed that goddess Lakshmi will not enter a home that is dark. Furthermore, darkness represents ignorance and light represents metaphor for knowledge.

Figure 7: Clay lamps - represents good over evil

Moving on to the cultural windows of festive events, Campbell Lane and Dunlop Street was where I discovered the actual happening point of Deepavali, from Hindus purchasing artifacts and festive food to apparels and jewelries.

As Deepavali is the time for everyone to rejoice looking forward to a bright future, the Hindus would purchase new clothes (shown in Figure 8 and 9) and jewelries. 

Figure 8: Sarees displayed for sale

Figure 9: Hindu men queuing for their trousers to be tailored

It is believed that Hindus buy gold during Deepavali as a form of investment and to be inherited by their offspring thereafter (shown in Figure 10).

Figure 10: Hindu couples browsing at gold bangles

A huge variety of festive goodies to sample before buying. This is the time where the Hindus buy and share goodies with their families, relatives and friends (shown in Figure 11).

Figure 11: Celebrants purchasing festive goodies

Along many areas of the different streets, females were queuing or seated for their “henna” – a temporary form of skin decoration using flowering plants – to be done (shown in Figure 12). Henna is a popular form of expressions for good luck and happiness. As hennas are done between the artist and bearer, it is believed that it opens a spiritual connection where one receives a gifted blessing during the drawing process.

Figure 12: A lady drawing a "henna" for a Hindu patron

As Deepavali is celebrated on the darkest night of Kartik, what is the Festival of Lights without these sparkle sticks and party poppers (shown in Figure 13)?

Figure 13: Sparkles and party poppers for sale

Based on my observation, I truly believe that these cultural expressions have somewhat remained the same, as the actual happening there was far ahead from my expectation before I went for the field trip. The past culture has been preserved the traditional way - the females are still decked out in their sarees and sherwani for the men (instead of modern fashionable apparels). The visit to Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple was also an indication that majority of the Hindus do not feel the worshipping as a superstitious behavior or act.

What surprises me was that clay lamps may not be used to light up their homes. Instead, electrical lamps on sale could be used as a substitute. I felt the significance could be diminishing in this case.

Perhaps a visit to Little India would change one’s perception that the expressions have remained the same, evolved or changed, as they really immerse themselves in the Indian culture with meticulous observation.

This enriching field trip has no doubt raised my awareness and appreciation of diverse cultural expressions in a multicultural environment such as Singapore, as everyone can feel welcome to join in different festive occasions’ celebrations with many to discover. Moreover, local government boards such as Singapore Tourism Board are also promoting to people from all walks of life, to join in. Knowing the underlying values and beliefs will definitely help in one's appreciation of the Indian culture.

To end it off, there is surely a precious belief for each culture’s doings.