Deepavali, the most important date of the Hindu calendar, occurs on one day during either October or November. However, festivities tend to last for about a month. Deepavali is the Festival of Lights, and marks the defeat of the evil Narakasura by the Lord Khrishna. All around the world, Hindus celebrate this day as the triumph of light over darkness, and of good over evil. It marks the New Year for Hindu devotees, and is a great time of rejoicing and renewal. It is also believed that the souls of departed relatives descend to earth during this festival, and oil lamps are lit to guide them. Like the New Year festivals of Chinese and Muslim, it is celebrated with 'open-house' visits among friends of all races.

During this time, Little India throbs with evening roadside stalls, booming music and strings of colorful 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.

The streets and temples of Little India are lit up with streamers and fairy lights lining the streets and forming arches and gateways to the night bazaars. The Sri Veeramakaliamman, Sri Vadapathira Kaliammanand and Sri Srinivasa Perumal temples are garlanded in lights as the whole of Serangoon Road glitters to welcome the New Year.  – adapted from STB