Hari Raya Haji
For Muslims, the 'Haj' or Pilgrimage to mecca is the most important journey of their lives.
Hari Raya Haji is a day to commemorate the religious occasion and to celebrate the return of the the pilgrims. Moslems spend a day in a prayer and after the morning prayer session at the mosques, sheep and goats are ritually slaughtered as sacrifices. The meat is then distributed among the worshippers and the poor.
Hari Raya Puasa
After a month of fasting during Ramadhan, moslems celebrate Hari Raya Puasa. Week before the event, Geylang Serai transforms into a lively bazaar with roadside stalls selling various snacks, accessories, and costumes. On the actual day of celebration, male members of households rise early to attend special prayers at the mosques. Past wrongs are forgiven and family visit the graves of those who departed as a mark of remembrance. In the homes, traditional delicacies are prepared for visiting friend and relatives.
Lunar New Year ( Chun Jie )
This is the most important event in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. It is a time of reunion and an occasion for much rejoicing. On New year's eve, Chinese families gather around the dining table to enjoy a sumptuous dinner know as the Reunion Dinner. For the next 15 days, friend and relatives visit one another, bearing gifts of mandarin oranges and hong baos ( Red Packets filled with money) for the children. This exchange of items symbolizes good luck and prosperity.
Entertaining cultural shows are put up by performers from China at Marina Bay and you can also shop for more goodies at the Singapore River Hong Bao Extravaganza. The Chingay Parade of Dream is a colourful finale to the Chinese New Year Celebrations. With colourful floats and costumed performers, there is little wonder why it is considered Asia grandest street and float parade.
Mid-Autumn Festival ( Mooncake Festival )
In falls on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month. It was related that the tyrannical Yuan Dynasty was overthrown in the 14th century through the aid of secret messages placed in mooncakes. This Festival is marked by Much feasting and family rejoicing in China Town and in Gardens and parks around Singapore. Children show off bright and colourful lanterns while adult enjoy pamelo ( a local citrus fruit ) and delicious mooncakes filled lotus paste, melon seeds, red lotus paste, nuts and yam. Nowadays, we even have our very own new recipes of ice-cream and durian or green tea mooncakes.
Deepavali
For Muslims, the 'Haj' or Pilgrimage to mecca is the most important journey of their lives.
Hari Raya Haji is a day to commemorate the religious occasion and to celebrate the return of the the pilgrims. Moslems spend a day in a prayer and after the morning prayer session at the mosques, sheep and goats are ritually slaughtered as sacrifices. The meat is then distributed among the worshippers and the poor.
Hari Raya Puasa
After a month of fasting during Ramadhan, moslems celebrate Hari Raya Puasa. Week before the event, Geylang Serai transforms into a lively bazaar with roadside stalls selling various snacks, accessories, and costumes. On the actual day of celebration, male members of households rise early to attend special prayers at the mosques. Past wrongs are forgiven and family visit the graves of those who departed as a mark of remembrance. In the homes, traditional delicacies are prepared for visiting friend and relatives.
Lunar New Year ( Chun Jie )
This is the most important event in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. It is a time of reunion and an occasion for much rejoicing. On New year's eve, Chinese families gather around the dining table to enjoy a sumptuous dinner know as the Reunion Dinner. For the next 15 days, friend and relatives visit one another, bearing gifts of mandarin oranges and hong baos ( Red Packets filled with money) for the children. This exchange of items symbolizes good luck and prosperity.
Entertaining cultural shows are put up by performers from China at Marina Bay and you can also shop for more goodies at the Singapore River Hong Bao Extravaganza. The Chingay Parade of Dream is a colourful finale to the Chinese New Year Celebrations. With colourful floats and costumed performers, there is little wonder why it is considered Asia grandest street and float parade.
Mid-Autumn Festival ( Mooncake Festival )
In falls on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month. It was related that the tyrannical Yuan Dynasty was overthrown in the 14th century through the aid of secret messages placed in mooncakes. This Festival is marked by Much feasting and family rejoicing in China Town and in Gardens and parks around Singapore. Children show off bright and colourful lanterns while adult enjoy pamelo ( a local citrus fruit ) and delicious mooncakes filled lotus paste, melon seeds, red lotus paste, nuts and yam. Nowadays, we even have our very own new recipes of ice-cream and durian or green tea mooncakes.
Deepavali
Hindu homes around Singapore are decked with flickering oil lamps during this festival, also know as the Festival of 1000 Lights. It celebrates Lord Krishna's victory over the evil Narakasura and signifies a time of renewal. Bright lights, fanciful motifs and busy shoppers are found in Little India where shops and street stalls offer brightly coloured saris, shining jewellery, aromatic spices, jasmine garlands and delicacies for sale.
ThaipusamA dramatic festival where by Hindu penitents carry kavadis (semi-circular metal structures carried on the shoulders by devotees as a mark of thanksgiving and penance) in a procession from Sri Srinivasa
ThaipusamA dramatic festival where by Hindu penitents carry kavadis (semi-circular metal structures carried on the shoulders by devotees as a mark of thanksgiving and penance) in a procession from Sri Srinivasa
Perumal Temple on Serangoon Road to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road. This festival is an awesome entranced devotees walk the 3-kilometre route carrying kavadis, milk pots and most even have the kavadis pierced to their bodies with spikes, hooks and skewers.
Theemidhi Festival
This annual fire-walking ceremony honours the Goddess Draupadi, a heroine of epic poem Mahabharta. Hindu devotees coal pit barefoot at the Sri Mariamman Temple. These devotees make the 4-metre walk across the fire path, cheered on by an exited crowd.
Vesak Day
This is the most important day in the Buddhist calender and it commemorates Buddha's entry into Nirvana after attaining spiritual enlightenment. Monks chant holy sutras and devotees release captive birds as a mark of respect to all living creatures and to gain merit.
Good Friday
Theemidhi Festival
This annual fire-walking ceremony honours the Goddess Draupadi, a heroine of epic poem Mahabharta. Hindu devotees coal pit barefoot at the Sri Mariamman Temple. These devotees make the 4-metre walk across the fire path, cheered on by an exited crowd.
Vesak Day
This is the most important day in the Buddhist calender and it commemorates Buddha's entry into Nirvana after attaining spiritual enlightenment. Monks chant holy sutras and devotees release captive birds as a mark of respect to all living creatures and to gain merit.
Good Friday
Christians and Catholics commemorate the day Jesus Christ sacrificed himself on the cross to exonerate the sins of all mankind. Christians and Catholics attend special prayer services and demonstrate their gratification to the Lord.
Christmas
Christmas
Christians and Catholics celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas carols reverberate in malls as the season approaches. Be amazed by the beautiful decorated streets, shopping malls and hotels as they are all dazzled with fairy lights. Join the crowds at buoyant events that pop up across the island. In all churches, special services are held on Chrismas Eve and Chirstmas morning to mark this special day.
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