Singapore Festivals

Festivals There are many colourful festivals and events held in Singapore. Begining of the year, the Chinese New Year which is celebrated by the majority of Chinese. There are two public holidays and every households will do spring cleaning in advance to welcome the New Year. Next year is the year of the Rooster, one of the Chinese zodiac sign. Do take a trip to Chinatown, immerse yourself into the spirit of the festive season, there will be a bazzar with a lot of New Year goodies and colorful street decoration and lightup.The area will be very crowded toward the dates and it a great place to shop and bargain.

Chingay began in Singapore as an _expression of communal unity and celebration in 1973 to replace the absence of the traditional firecrackers released every Chinese Year after its ban in 1972. The first procession was totally Chinese with a potpourri of stilt walkers, big-headed dolls, pugisitic groups, mini opera, prancing lion and dragon dancers and flag bearers. Today, Chingay has evolved to be the grandest street parade in Asia showcasing the rich, vibrant multi-culturalsim of Singapore, and the exotic and exciting cultures from all over the world. The parade features not only the best local and international performers but also many of Asia's most beautiful and specticular floats. This year's event will be held on Saturday, 19th February from 7p.m to 11p.m with street party and floats procession. It will be the most colourful parade of the year because it's Chingay's 30th Birthday!!!

Thaipusam Thaipusam is celebrated by the Hindu community in Singapore, Malaysia, Southern India and Sri Lanka.This festival commermorates the devotion of Idumban, a devotee of Lord Subramaniam, who received great burden of offerings to pay homage to his deity. Today, it is believed that any devotee carrying a kavadi in fulfillment of vows will have their wishes granted. In order to prepare for the procession, the devotee has to be a strict vegetarians, offer prayer and observing austerities for a month before the festival. The procession will begin from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Little India to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road about 3km route. Before the procession, there will be a ritual and prayer and friends and relative gather to offer their blessing. It takes quite awhile to prepare the kavadi. The devotee will carry it through out the journey. These kavadi range from simple wooden ones to more elborately decorated 'Alagu Kavadi' with metal skewers anchored on various parts of the devotees' bodies.Teenagers usually carry simple wooden one while the woman will carry pot of milk over the head. Upon completing the walk, devotees will offer pots of milk on the trident of their deity. The kavadis are then carefully removed. The end of the Thaipusam is marked by a three-day fasting .

Singapore Fashion Festival 2005 The festival was held from 23 Mar to 3 April at Orchard Road. It was one of the most glamour event of the year. It featured the latest local and international designer fashion.