Light-up along Serangoon Road
Hindu devotees at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
Link :: More photos on Zoto
Deepavali, the most important date of the Hindu calendar, occurs on one day during October, and in the ethnic quarter of Little India, the festivities last practically for the whole month of October.
Deepavali is the Festival of Lights, and marks the defeat of the evil King Narakasura by the Lord Krishna. All round the world, Hindus celebrate this day as the triumph of light over darkness, and of good over evil. It marks the new beginning for Hindu devotees, and is a great time of rejoicing and renewal. During this time, Little India throbs with evening roadside stalls, booming music and strings of colourful lights. Shoppers throng the streets in search of the perfect sari to wear, or to fill their baskets with Indian foods and spices. Hindu homes are lighted with oil lamps , and offerings of sweetmeats and garlands of jasmine are placed at the family altar.
on Oct 27th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
found that this altar: http://www.zoto.com/site/#USR.husky::PAG.detail::6b05da48568cff48b0957a1785502817
is for Lord Sri Venkatachalapathy in celebration of the Laksha Deepam Mahotsavam from 12 Sep to 7 Jan 2009. From the “Singapore Hindu Nov/Dec 2008″ (Hindu Endowments Board):
“What is the significance behind lighting oil and ghee lamps? According to Hindu scriptures, light symbolises knowledge and darkness ignorance. The Lord is the ‘Knowledge Principle’ who is the source, the enlivener and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence light is worshipped as the Lord himself. Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievement can be accomplished… “