Little India shines light on Pongal festivities

Little India's streets were lit up yesterday to mark the start of a month-long celebration of Pongal in Singapore. 	The light-up ceremony at Campbell Lane was officiated by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. Pongal is a harvest and thanksgiving fe
The light-up ceremony at Campbell Lane was officiated by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan greeting people in Little India before officiating the light-up ceremony. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Pedestrians walk under the bright lights along Campbell Lane in Little India. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
A performance on stage as part of the 2018 Pongal Celebrations. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

Little India's streets were lit up yesterday (Jan 5) to mark the start of a month-long celebration of Pongal in Singapore.

The light-up ceremony at Campbell Lane was officiated by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. Pongal is a harvest and thanksgiving festival that marks the start of spring, and is celebrated worldwide by Tamils, particularly in southern India and the state of Tamil Nadu.

It falls on Jan 14 and is celebrated for four days. But in Singapore, celebrations extend for over a month.

The Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association has planned a series of free events from now until Feb 4 in conjunction with the festival.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 06, 2018, with the headline Little India shines light on Pongal festivities. Subscribe