Little India (Serangoon Road)
Little India along Serangoon Road is the historic heart of Singapore's Indian community — a colourful, aromatic neighbourhood of ornate Hindu temples, bustling markets, vibrant shophouses, and lively street life. It offers an immersive cultural walk where food, textiles, spices and religious life combine to create one of Singapore's most atmospheric quarters.
Location
Serangoon Road, Little India, Singapore, Singapore
Duration
2–4 hours for a focused walk; half-day to full-day if you include meals, shopping and visiting multiple temples or museums.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round. Visit in the cooler mornings (08:00–11:00) or evenings (17:00–21:00) to avoid midday heat and humidity. The area is especially vibrant during major festivals: Deepavali (Diwali, usually Oct/Nov) and Thaipusam (date varies, often Jan/Feb).
Pricing
Free to explore. Most street sightseeing is free. Expect to pay for food, shopping and museum/attraction entry; temple visits are usually free but donations are appreciated. Typical costs: hawker meals S$3–8, mid-range restaurant S$15–40, souvenirs S$5–50.
Activity Type
Coordinates
Highlights
Tekka Centre — lively wet market, Indian hawker food and fresh produce.
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple — ornate Hindu temple on Serangoon Road.
Little India Arcade & shophouses — traditional textiles, jewellery and souvenirs.
Mustafa Centre (24-hour) — massive budget department store for electronics, groceries and clothing.
Colourful street art and restored colonial shophouses.
Street-side eateries serving dosa, biryani, thosai and banana leaf meals.
Religious ceremonies and festival decorations during Deepavali and Thaipusam.
Itinerary
Breakfast at Tekka Centre
Try local South Indian favourites (dosa, idli, thosai) or Malay/Indian-Muslim hawker options. Bring small notes/coins for quick payment.
Visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and surrounding shrines
Observe temple customs: remove shoes, dress modestly, and ask before photographing worshippers.
Heritage walk along Serangoon Road and Little India Arcade
Admire shophouse facades, buy spices, sarees, and handicrafts; sample sweets from confectioners.
Lunch — banana leaf or biryani
Sit-down local restaurants offer generous meals; expect to eat with hands for banana leaf meals (spoons/forks available).
Explore Mustafa Centre and specialty shops
Mustafa is open 24/7 and great for bargains — check prices and authenticity for electronics.
Evening stroll and street photography
Streets light up, hawkers and eateries get busy; return visits during festival evenings are especially atmospheric.
Safety Requirements
Dress modestly when entering temples (cover shoulders and knees).
Remove shoes before entering temple precincts when required.
Be cautious when crossing roads — Serangoon Road is busy with traffic.
Protect valuables in crowded market areas; watch for pickpockets.
Stay hydrated and use sun protection — Singapore is hot and humid.
Tips
Use the MRT — Little India (NE7/DT12) and Farrer Park (NE8) stations give easy access; many streets are best explored on foot.
Carry small change for hawker stalls and street vendors.
Bargain politely in smaller shops and markets, but not in fixed-price stores like Mustafa Centre.
Try local specialties: banana leaf rice, dosa, teh tarik (pulled tea) and Indian sweets (mithai).
Visit during festival periods (Deepavali, Thaipusam) for a memorable cultural experience — arrive early for best viewing and photography.
Wear comfortable shoes — uneven sidewalks and crowded lanes are common.
Respect religious observances — ask permission before photographing inside temples.
