Little India

Little India is perhaps one of the liveliest and colorful towns in Singapore. Stroll into the little narrow lanes for some messy but unique scene.

The name Tekka means “foot of the bamboo” in Hokkien. Tekka Centre is home to a hawker center and a marketplace. The hawker center offered more on Indian cuisine. One of the must try stall is the Sky Lab Cooked Food.

There is a big marketplace just next to the hawker that offers shoppers wide varieties of choices. Head to the second level for some colorful clothing purchases.

Notice the bubble lift as you stepped out of Tekka Centre? These residential blocks are unique to the bubble lifts in Singapore. Do take a ride up and down for the city view scenery.

Shop at the Little India Arcade but not to forget to admire its heritage architecture. These colonial-style shophouses and the five-foot way walk path is a must when you are in the neighborhood.

To know more about the Indian Community, head to the Indian Heritage Centre. The four-story center showcases the community roles and contributions of the Indians in Singapore.

Former House of Tan Teng Niah is the last surviving Chinese villa in Little India. The original building was build in 1900 for the businessman who owned several sweet-making factories. Restored and conserved in the 1980s, this once a white house is now a colorful landmark that worth a few more photoshoots.

Shree Lakshminarayan Temple is the first temple dedicated to the North Indian Hindus. The name is the combination of the two deities, Lakshmi and Narayan. Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and consort of Vishnu, Narayan is a deity for preservation and protection of the universe.

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is the first temple dedicated to the goddess Kali, a fierce incarnation of Shiva’s wife. Hindus believe she will protect her devotees by maintaining world order and destroys ignorance.

Grab some freshly baked Chapati with minced mutton at Azmi Restaurant. Dine-in at this old school coffeeshop for some authentic favor.

Do you know Azmi first open its door in the 1960s at the same location.

Walk along the Serangoon Road to explore more Hindu temples. Make a turn into the Race Course Road for Mahatma Gandhi Memorial. Gandhi was a powerful symbol of peace and national cultural pride for his efforts over India’s independence. This memorial foundation stone was laid personally by the first Prime Minister of India in 1950. The building cost came from the Indian community in Singapore.

Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple gazetted as a National Monument in 1978. Srinivasa means ” a source of light” and “abode of prosperity” The temple started with the main hall and a pond for devotees to bathe after prayers. In the early 1900s, a small shrine was built and imported the idols from India. The current elaborated temple was build in the 1960s.

Kampong Kapor Methodist Church started as a Straits Chinese Church in the 1890s. Today, services in the church are held in Peranakan, Chinese, English, and Tamil language.

Abdul Gafoor Mosque has a unique architecture, with blends of Saracenic and Neoclassical elements.

*Arch commemorating the New World Park in front of City Square Mall*

Walk around the area to discover the beautiful colonial-style architecture and mural arts.

At one end of the Syed Alwi street, there is an award-winning boutique hotel, The Vagabond Club. Designed by the French designer Jacques Garcia, the hotel offers Parisian style accommodation. What’s more impressive is that they have one of the best Whiskey Bar in Singapore.