03Cities and regions

Serangoon Road

Little India

Little India gathers around Serangoon Road in colour, markets and spice. South Asian façades differ from the Chinese shophouses in the neighbouring district. Sri Veeramakaliamman’s ornate gateway tower reads from the street as traditional architecture. Market stalls sell flowers, spices and textiles. Pair the visit with an Indian lunch, then a walk along Serangoon. During Deepavali the streets grow busier still, as photographs show. Wear light clothes and carry an umbrella: rain can start suddenly in any month. One day covers walking and lunch, and you can link Kampong Glam the same afternoon if you keep an easy pace. This is not a miniature India but a Singapore neighbourhood serving a community and showing everyday trade. Do not enter private homes; street-level photography is enough. Side lanes off the main road reveal quieter façades between busier shopfronts. Keep valuables close in dense crowds, and follow local queues at popular food stalls rather than only online lists. The district rewards slow wandering more than a single landmark stop, so leave room in the schedule for markets as well as temples seen from the street.