World Travel 4 Indians

Singapore is a multi cultural country having miscellaneous religious and cultural practices.

All the ethnic groups commemorate their respective festivals and therefore throughout the year Singapore remains bright and colorful due to the celebration of different kinds of festivals. Some of these festivals are public holidays.

CHINESE NEW YEAR is celebrated on the first day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar and this is the most important annual festival for the Chinese community. Each year is named after one of the 12 animals according to the Chinese Zodiac.

Houses are cleaned and decorated to prepare for the big day. On this day, prayers and offerings are made, new clothes are bought and different kinds of food are prepared.

New Year cards are exchanged between friends and relatives. Lion dances and small fireworks are also arranged. Ang-Pow or red packet containing money is given out to children and elderly.

HARI RAYA HAJI is celebrated by the Muslims on the tenth day of the last month of the Muslim calendar.

This is an occasion celebrated marking the conclusion of the annual Hajj - the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, when the pilgrims are given the name of Haji for men and Hajjah for women.

Thanksgiving prayers are offered in the mosques.

An animal is sacrificed whose meat is distributed among the relatives and the poor.

WESAK DAY   is celebrated by Buddhists which marks three momentous events in Buddha's life - his birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana.

The celebration begins at dawn when devotees gathering at the temples to meditate on the Eight Precepts.

MOON CAKE - LANTERN FESTIVAL is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth Chinese Lunar Calendar.

This is a historical Singaporean Festivals rather than a religious one. It marks the successful rebellion against the Mongol ruler dated back in 14th century China.

DRAGON BOAT Singaporean Festivals falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (in June) to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet and statesman of the 4th century BC, who drowned himself in protest against political corruption.

HUNGRY GHOSTS FESTIVAL   is celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month by Buddhists and Taoists.

Bundle of joss sticks, paper hell money, and food placed on the street corner and roadsides are burnt to appease the dead spirit from entering their home and cause disturbance in their household.

DEEPAVALI celebrates the victory of good over evil, symbolized by the legendary homicide of the oppressive Narakasura by Lord Krishna.

It marks the beginning of the Indian New Year, and for the business community it is a time for settling debts.

It is also believed that the souls of departed relatives descend to earth during this festival, and oil lamps are lit to guide them.