Little India of Singapore

In Singapore, along the bustling Serangoon Road, you will find a neighbourhood that’s the most colourful, most aromatic, also one of the busiest, this is Singapore's Little India, an ethnic district that will give you reasons to come back to Singapore.

Little India is distinct from the Chulia Kampong area, which, under the Raffles Plan of Singapore, was originally a division of colonial-era Singapore where ethnic Indian immigrants would reside under the plan's outline of the formation of ethnic enclaves. However, as Chulia Kampong became more crowded and competition for land escalated, many ethnic Indian emigrants moved into what is now known as Little India. 

The Little India area is reported to have developed around a former settlement for Indian convicts.[citation needed] Its location along the Serangoon River originally made it attractive for raising cattle, and livestock trade was once prominent in the area.Eventually, other economic activity developed, and by the turn of the 20th century, the area began to look like an ethnic Indian neighbourhood.

Little India was the site of a two-hour-long riot on 8 December 2013, after a man was killed in a traffic accident. 27 people were injured, and 40 people were arrested.[3]

Little India, located across from Chinatown and north of Kampong Glam, is a place where you will find a vibrant Indian culture. This neighbourhood has some of the most colourful buildings you will ever see, bustling markets that sell all kinds of knick-knacks that one will find in India, eateries that have the taste of India, and many more.

Today, the vibrant ethnic enclave retains its unique heritage with a tantalising blend of restaurants dishing out traditional South Asian dishes, buildings stamped with contemporary street art, and age-old temples like the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. Whether you're looking to learn more about Singapore's Indian community, get your fill of biryani, or shop for beautiful sarees, Little India is the place to be.

The locality is full of colourful and ornate buildings, adorned with intricate designs. These buildings reflect traditional Indian architecture. The temples of Little India will remind you of the temples back home.

Little India’s bustling markets and shops are the best places to get your hands on all things Indian. From garments to eatables and even home decor, find them all here.

The area is great for those who travel to try different food preparation. There are plenty of restaurants and food stalls that serve a wide array of authentic Indian cuisine.

One can see Little India during major Indian festivals including Diwali and Thaipusam. The streets get all decked-up with colourful decorations, and there are processions and cultural performances that one can enjoy. Little India is home to several iconic religious landmarks like the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and the Abdul Gafoor Mosque.