Little India

I visited Serangoon Road, more commonly known as Little India, some 2 weeks ago. This is a place that I know very little about. It is a popular tourist landmark in Singapore, yet many locals seldom visit. And I happen to go on a Sunday, when it is the most crowded.

And it was really really crowded. Walking down Serangoon Road, I had to jostle for space with cars and other pedestrians. The crowd density is unmatched even to Orchard Road. The crowd looked like something from Chinatown during the Lunar New Year. But the fact is, this scene takes place every Sunday, where legions of foreign workers who are enjoying their off-days descend. This is perhaps where the temporary police station, with its panopticoned vantage point, comes in.

Not only was the crowd a sight to behold, the colors, sounds and smells are rather delightful too. Consisting of mainly old pre-war shophouses, Little India is thankfully spared the thick confectionary facade renovation seen in the conserved shophouses in Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar. And the stores that sell textiles, jewellery and girlie magazines add a splash of color and vibrancy to the area. The smells of freshly cut flowered garlands and the spices, and the aroma of food wafting out of the restaurants make it a full sensory experience. The temples in the area, when lit up at night, are also gorgeous.

Nowadays, any visit to Little India must include the customary patronage of Mustafa Centre. The first 24-hour departmental store in Singapore, Mustafa Centre seems to have everything one ever needs within its small floor space. Surprisingly, the crowd within the store is multi-ethnic. I can't help but grab some socks along the way too.

I realized that there are so many little corners around the island that I have yet to explore. It is always cool to start acting like a tourist again.