Ultimate guide to Singapore’s October 2025 Hindu festivals: Dussehra (Oct 2) and Deepavali (Oct 20). Temple events, Little India lights, shopping, food, family activities, transport.

Deepavali and Dussehra Singapore 2025: October Hindu Festival Season in Lion City

Note: Major Hindu festivals in Singapore are coordinated with the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) and temple committees. Little India light‑up/bazaar dates are announced by LISHA. Open burning/pyrotechnics are restricted—Dussehra is typically symbolic (no effigy). Always follow week‑of announcements.

Introduction

October in Singapore glows from Dussehra’s victory aarti to Deepavali’s lamps and Little India’s street light‑up. This all‑in‑one guide covers key dates, what to expect at temples and in the Little India precinct, shopping and gifting, family tips, MRT routes, accessibility, safety, weather, and budgets—so you can plan a meaningful, stress‑free festival season.

Table of Contents

• Festival Snapshot: Key Dates, Time Zone, Public Holiday
• Season Timeline: Late September to Late October
• What’s Typical in Singapore
• Where to Celebrate: Temples and Community Hubs
• Little India: Light‑Up, Bazaars, and Shopping
• Worship at Home: Dussehra and Deepavali Essentials
• Travel & Crowd Tips (MRT/Bus/Taxi)
• Family, Accessibility & Safety
• Weather & What to Wear
• Budget Planner (SGD)
• Volunteer & Seva
• Featured Snippet: 10‑Step October Festival Plan
• FAQs
• Related Internal Links
• External Resources
• Conclusion & Call to Action
• Post Tags

Festival Snapshot: Key Dates, Time Zone, Public Holiday

• Dussehra (Vijayadashami): Thursday, 2 October 2025 (SGT, UTC+8)
• Deepavali (Public Holiday): Monday, 20 October 2025
• Time zone: SGT (UTC+8). Singapore does not observe Daylight Saving.

Season Timeline: Late September to Late October

• Late Sep – Oct 1: Navaratri evenings at temples (Devi alankarams, bhajans, cultural recitals).
• Oct 2 (Thu): Dussehra—symbolic temple observances; Ramayana talks; family aarti and prasad.
• Early–Mid Oct: Little India light‑up and Festival Village/bazaars (dates TBA by LISHA).
• The week around Oct 20: Deepavali home and temple worship, precinct festivities, gifting, and visits.

What’s Typical in Singapore

• Dussehra: Symbolic observance in temples—special aarti, stotra/bhajans, Ramayana reflections. No Ravana effigy or fireworks.
• Deepavali: Morning prayers, lamps at home, temple aarti, gifting, sweets/snacks, new clothes, and family visits.
• Community programs: Cultural nights (music/dance), kids’ activities, and charity/seva drives.

Where to Celebrate: Temples and Community Hubs

Final schedules are posted by each temple close to the date.

• Sri Mariamman Temple (Chinatown)
  • Central, historic; festive aarti and cultural items; great for first‑timers.
  • MRT: Chinatown (NE/DT)
• Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (Little India)
  • Vaishnava focus; Ramayana pravachan around Dussehra; Deepavali aarti.
  • MRT: Farrer Park (NE) or Little India (NE/DT)
• Shree Lakshminarayan Temple (Chander Road)
  • North Indian congregation; Hindi bhajans, Lakshmi Puja guidance.
  • MRT: Little India (NE/DT)
• Sri Veeramakaliamman / Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman (Little India)
  • Strong Navaratri alankarams; vibrant evening bhajans leading into October.
  • MRT: Little India / Boon Keng / Bendemeer
• Sri Thendayuthapani Temple (Tank Road)
  • Family‑friendly; Vidyarambham/Ayudha Puja around Dussehra; Deepavali aarti.
  • MRT: Fort Canning (DT) or Dhoby Ghaut (NS/NE/CC)
• Sri Sivan Temple (Geylang East)
  • Serene Shaiva worship; disciplined aarti; Deepavali morning crowds.
  • MRT: Paya Lebar (EW/CC) or MacPherson (DT/CC)
• Sri Senpaga Vinayagar (Katong)
  • Community‑focused; Vidyarambham slots popular; Deepavali aarti.
  • MRT/Bus: Eunos/Paya Lebar (EW/CC) + bus
• Ramakrishna Mission (Bartley)
  • English discourses on Ramayana values and festival significance.
  • MRT: Bartley (CC)

Tip: Check each temple’s Facebook/Instagram/website for aarti and RSVP/capacity notes.

Little India: Light‑Up, Bazaars, and Shopping

• Light‑Up & Festival Village
  • Street light‑up and stalls typically run from early/mid‑October till Deepavali (dates TBA by LISHA).
  • Hotspots: Little India Arcade, Campbell Lane, Serangoon Road, Tekka Centre/Place.
  • What you’ll find: Diyas/LED lights, rangoli powders, pooja kits, sarees/kurtas, kids’ outfits, sweets/snacks, décor, gift hampers.
• Shopping tips
  • Weeknights and early weekend mornings are calmer; Fri/Sat evenings are peak.
  • Carry a reusable tote and small cash; many stalls accept QR/cashless.
  • Tailoring timelines tighten—confirm alteration dates before purchase.
• Food stops (veg‑friendly)
  • Ananda Bhavan, Komala Vilas, Kailash Parbat, Tekka hawker centre.

Worship at Home: Dussehra and Deepavali Essentials

• Dussehra (Oct 2)
  • Symbolic celebration: short home puja in the Vijay/Aparahna window, then temple aarti.
  • South Indian traditions: Vidyarambham (start of learning), Ayudha Puja (blessing of tools/books).
• Deepavali (Oct 20)
  • South Indian observance: early morning abhyanga snanam (oil bath), lamps, new clothes, temple darshan, sweets/snacks distribution.
  • North Indian observance: evening Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya; place diyas at entrances/windows, tidy/declutter, offer sweets and flowers.
  • Shared essentials: pooja thali, lamps (clay/brass/LED), flowers, incense, sweets, modest attire.

Note: Candles/diyas at home should be placed on stable, heat‑safe holders; never leave flames unattended.

Travel & Crowd Tips (MRT/Bus/Taxi)

• Best by MRT:
  • Little India precinct: Little India (NE/DT), Farrer Park (NE), Rochor/Jalan Besar (DT)
  • Chinatown: Chinatown (NE/DT)
  • Tank Road/Dhoby Ghaut: Fort Canning (DT) / Dhoby Ghaut (NS/NE/CC)
  • Geylang/Katong: Paya Lebar (EW/CC), Eunos (EW)
• Taxis/rideshare: Set pick‑ups a short walk from temple gates to avoid bottlenecks.
• Driving: Limited parking near busy temples; use malls/ERP‑aware options; public transport is easier on peak nights.

Family, Accessibility & Safety

• Family sweet spot: 5:00–7:15 pm (pravachan/bhajans → aarti → prasad).
• Accessibility: Ask stewards for step‑free routes, lift access, wheelchair/pram bays, companion seating.
• Sensory: Carry ear protection for toddlers if amplification is used; identify a quiet corner on arrival.
• Safety: Keep aisles clear; phones on silent; follow ushers; no fireworks or open flames beyond controlled temple rituals.

Weather & What to Wear

• Warm and humid (≈25–32°C) with possible evening showers.
• Wear breathable modest clothing; easy‑off footwear for temple floors; carry a compact umbrella and water.
• If haze appears, check NEA updates; consider masks for sensitive groups.

Budget Planner (SGD)

• Offerings: S5–S5–S15
• Transport: S0–S0–S6 (MRT/bus round trip) or S12–S12–S28 (taxi/rideshare)
• Food/Prasad donation: S5–S5–S15
• Shopping (optional): S20–S20–S150+ depending on outfits/decor
• Typical per person (temple evening): ~S10–S10–S40

Money‑savvy: Use MRT, carry water, keep offerings compact, donate within your means, shop off‑peak.

Volunteer & Seva

• Roles: Queue flow, shoe rack, ushering, prasad serving, kids’ crafts, cleanup, donation drives.
• How to join: Message temple pages 1–2 weeks prior or sign up if forms are posted; arrive early for briefing; dress modestly.

Featured Snippet: 10‑Step October Festival Plan

1. Save the dates: Dussehra (Thu Oct 2), Deepavali (Mon Oct 20).
2. Pick your “home base” temple near your MRT line; follow week‑of posts for aarti.
3. Do a short home puja, then attend temple aarti; carry compact offerings.
4. Plan a Little India evening for light‑up and bazaar shopping (weeknight if possible).
5. Sort outfits and tailoring by early October; keep receipts.
6. Pre‑assemble pooja trays (lamps, incense, flowers, sweets).
7. Travel light; arrive 20–30 minutes early; choose side aisles with kids.
8. Follow ushers; no flash in sanctum; place waste in marked bins.
9. Make a small donation or join a seva (food or book drive).
10. Celebrate safely—lamps on stable holders, no unattended flames.

FAQs

Related Internal Links

• Durga Puja and Dussehra Singapore 2025: Bengali Community Pandals & North Indian Celebrations
• Singapore Hindu Council Dussehra Events 2025: National Temples & Community Celebrations
• Thaipusam to Dussehra Singapore 2025: Tamil Community Hindu Festival Calendar & Temple Guide
• Dussehra Shopping in Singapore 2025: Little India Bazaars, Traditional Clothes & Festival Items

External Resources

• Hindu Endowments Board (HEB): https://www.heb.gov.sg
• LISHA (Little India light‑up/bazaar): https://www.lisha.org
• MyTransport.SG (MRT/Bus): https://www.mytransport.sg
• Weather & Haze (MSS/NEA): https://www.weather.gov.sg | https://www.haze.gov.sg
• Time & Date (Sunrise/Sunset): https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/singapore/singapore
• MOM Public Holidays: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases

Conclusion & Call to Action

From Dussehra’s message of dharma’s victory to Deepavali’s lamps of hope, October 2025 in Singapore is devotional, family‑friendly, and beautifully organised. Shortlist your temples, plan a Little India light‑up evening, sort outfits and pooja kits early, and travel by MRT on peak nights. Celebrate safely—and share the joy with neighbours and friends.