Deepavali celebrations start with the annual light-up ceremony at Serangoon Road this Saturday (Sept 6) accompanied by dazzling lights, music, and cultural performances.
This year’s celebration also marks the return of the ‘UTSAVAM’ street parade, featuring 800 participants from 26 cultural groups, including representatives from the High Commission of India, noted Little India Shop Owners and Heritage Association (LISHA) at a press conference held on Sept 3.
Traditionally held at Race Course Road, this year’s UTSAVAM will be held at Serangoon Road due to ongoing redevelopment and construction.
Organised by LISHA, this year’s celebration carries the theme ‘Aattam, Paatam, Kondaatam’, highlighting dance, music, and festive joy. The official light-up ceremony will begin at 6.30pm, with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam as the guest of honour, joined by ministers, foreign dignitaries, and community leaders.
To facilitate the event, Hastings Road and the right-most lane of Serangoon Road will be closed from midnight on Sept 6 onwards, and then later the entire Serangoon Road, from Bukit Timah Road to Kitchener Road, will be closed from Sept 6 at 12pm up till Sept 7 at 3am. LISHA has advised visitors to use public transport to avoid traffic congestion.
The road closure will allow visitors to enjoy a vibrant street setup spanning three key sections: the Grand Stand section near Tekka Market, Veerasamy Road, and the stretch in front of Angullia Mosque. Spectators can view the festivities from behind barricades along the street, with more than 20,000 attendees expected, LISHA noted.
Following the light-up ceremony, Serangoon Road will remain illuminated nightly from 7pm to midnight for 64 days, until Nov 9, while the entire Deepavali celebrations last up till Nov 19.
LISHA has also lined up a host of activities from Sept 12 to Nov 11, including treasure hunts, Big Bus tours, as well as workshops on rangoli, traditional attire, and flower garland making.
During the press conference, LISHA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sree Narayana Mission (Singapore) to facilitate further collaborations and initiatives that will help seniors in the future, including engaging in the upcoming Deepavali festivities.
“This is not just a Deepavali celebration, but a Singapore celebration, marking both LISHA’s 25th anniversary and Singapore’s SG60 milestone,” said LISHA president, Regunarth Siva.
More details are available at www.deepavali.sg.
