The year is breezing through and before you know it, November 2026 is right around the corner, which means it’s time for the biggest Indian celebration across Singapore, the Festival of Lights, Deepavali, on 8th November 2026.
Besides munching on Deepavali snacks like laddus and murukku and waving sparklers around with your friends and family, a lot more happens when Deepavali season rolls around. Here are Deepavali traditions most Indian families are familiar with during this vibrant holiday.
Also check out these Deepavali fun facts.
Image credit: indiansinkuwait
On the crack of dawn come Deepavali morning, many Hindu families take sacred oil baths, known as “ennai kuliyal” in Tamil. Doing so is believed to have the same effect as taking a bath in India’s Ganges River, which is revered to be one of the holiest sites in the country.
Often, gingelly oil steeped with ayurvedic herbs like shikakai (acacia) powder is used and is seen as a “cleansing” for the soul, on top of cooling the body down – much needed in Singapore’s heat.
This is usually done in time for sunrise when one then offers their prayers to the sun (“surya namaskaram”) to begin their day with gratitude.
Image credit: Joel Muniz via Unsplash
While donations are encouraged no matter the time of year, Deepavali is an especially significant period where one can give back to the community. Indian families often cook meals, buy gifts such as toys and groceries, as well as make monetary donations to the less fortunate to do their part in spreading some festive joy.
You can consider showing your support to organisations such as Ramakrishna Mission Singapore, which donates cooked food and supplies to the needy.
On the morning of Deepavali Eve, families will pray to their ancestors, such as late parents or grandparents, to usher in blessings.
Traditional snacks like achu murukku (rose cookies) and payasam (rice pudding) are padayal staples.
Image credit: Religion Unplugged
This is often a joyous occasion, with a grand feast full of their favourite vegetarian dishes being prepared for what’s called the “amavasai padayal” (new moon offerings). Amavasai refers to the new moon, which is the time Deepavali takes place each year.
It’s no doubt that modern-day celebrations have youngsters sparkly-eyed at the thought of receiving money packets, much like Chinese New Year and Hari Raya traditions. While this practice is definitely a little more new age, it also serves as a sign of our elders wishing us a prosperous life.
Image credit: iStock
To show respect and gratitude, children often fall at the feet of parents and tata and patti (grandpa and grandma) as well, getting blessed in return. This is an age-old Hindu tradition and can commonly be seen happening during special occasions like weddings too.
Image credit: Pinterest
Just as some may whip out their fancy china sets during special occasions, Indian families have their own set of top-notch kitchenware: the humble banana leaf. Especially popular amongst South Indians, eating with banana leaf “plates” goes beyond aesthetics.
Many believe that the food we eat gets extra nutrients from the leaves, which can even enhance the taste of our favourite stews and rice meals. Besides Deepavali, banana leaves are also used when offering sacred offerings to deities during prayers. Plus, it’s sustainable as well!
Tip: Once you’re done with your meal, fold your leaf in half from top to bottom – this is a sign that you enjoyed your meal.
Image credit: SikhPa
It’s not just Hindus that celebrate Deepavali – the Sikh community take this opportunity to also celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, which means “Prisoner Release Day” or the “Day of Liberation”.
This day commemorates the release of their 6th guru, Guru Hargobind from prison in 1619, and serves as a reminder for people to stand up against injustice. To celebrate, Sikhs light diya oil lamps too – a familiar sight during Deepavali.
Rangoli can be made up of coloured rice, flour, sand, and even flowers.
Image credit: Adityamadhav83
In a multicultural country like Singapore with most of us living in HDBs, it’s likely we’ve seen Indian neighbours decorate their HDB corridors with beautiful rangoli art. Also known as kolam, these patterns are said to attract the goddess Lakshmi into one’s home as a form of protection against evil.
Kolams look simpler than rangoli, featuring geometric patterns drawn with chalk instead.
Image credit: Namadwaar Singapore
And here’s some exciting news for those looking to go all out this year: the Punggol Gardens RC Deepavali Rangoli Design Competition is happening on 15th November 2026. Put your artistic skills to the test as you create colourful rangoli designs and compete for the top spot.
The competition takes place from 4pm to 5pm at Blk 164 Punggol Central Multi-Purpose Hall, and participation is free. Just remember to bring your own art materials and register in advance. Do note that the event is exclusively for residents living in the Punggol Gardens precinct.
Most Singaporeans associate playing with sparklers with the Mid-Autumn Festival, but they’re culturally significant during Deepavali as well. It is called the Festival of Lights after all, so this shouldn’t really be much of a surprise.
Image adapted from: @sham_ugh via X
The bright sparks are said to signify the joy people felt when Lord Rama in the Ramayana epic defeated Ravana, the demon king. In other countries, you’ll find many Indians letting off fireworks instead, but since those are illegal here, sparklers have been the default celebratory tool instead.
P.S. These days, you can get low-smoke sparklers that are more environmentally friendly.
Image credit: Sivagurunada Kovil via Facebook
For newly married Tamil couples, Thalai Deepavali is an extra special occasion as it marks their 1st Deepavali together after tying the knot; the tradition literally translates to first Deepavali. The tradition celebrates the beginning of married life, with festivities often taking place at the bride’s family home.
As part of the celebrations, couples may receive new clothes, gifts, and blessings from their elders, alongside enjoying festive meals and traditional sweets with loved ones. Some families also observe the same early-morning oil bath mentioned earlier, making Thalai Deepavali a meaningful celebration of love, family, and new beginnings.
Image credit: Floritisque
Another tradition associated with Deepavali is making and hanging flower garlands, which are commonly used to decorate doorways, home altars, and prayer spaces. These colourful arrangements are often made with fragrant flowers such as jasmine (malli), marigolds (genda), and roses, which symbolise purity, prosperity, and love.
Image credit: Etsy
The flowers are carefully strung together using thread to create decorative garlands, adding a festive touch to homes during Deepavali. Besides their vibrant colours and pleasant scents, these garlands are also used as offerings during prayers, making them a meaningful part of the celebrations.
Indian Ring-necked Parakeets are both adorable and quite possibly psychic.
Image credit: The Urge To Wander
Parrot astrologers are few and far between these days – there might only be one left in Singapore – but they are still worth an honourable mention. Hey, they’re iconic enough to have been memorialised as an official stamp!
These astrologers once frequented the streets of Little India.
Image credit: Colnect
While not exactly a Deepavali tradition, some families do head down specifically during this time to get their fortunes told by probably the cutest astrologers on earth. Based on your age and name, these green parakeets will pick a card out of a “lucky deck”, which the astrologer – the human one, of course – will then interpret for the customer.
Everything from one’s fortune to love life can be “predicted” based on what the cards read.
Image credit: @tanakvagu57 via Instagram
From meaningful family traditions to vibrant festivities, Deepavali in Singapore is celebrated in many different ways. Beyond the colourful decorations and delicious festive treats, it’s also a time for families and communities to come together, honour their Deepavali traditions, and celebrate new beginnings.
If you’re keen to join in the festivities for Deepavali 2026, head to the Indian Heritage Centre Deepavali Open House (open till 8th November) for cultural activities and hands-on experiences, or visit the Deepavali Festival Village in Little India (open till 8th November) to browse festive goodies. Both events offer a chance to immerse yourself in the celebrations and learn more about the Festival of Lights.
Also read:
This article was brought to you by the Singapore Tourism Board.
Cover image adapted from: Sivagurunada Kovil via Facebook, Pinterest, @sham_ugh via X
This article was originally published on 14th October 2021, and the events mentioned are over. Last updated by Vani Gupta on 3rd November 2026.
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