Celebrate Festival of Lights at Indian Heritage Centre Deepavali Open House 2023!

Deepavali, this world translates to “A row of lights”, a tradition of lighting lamps in the evening of the festival, thus it is known as the “Festival of Lights”. This festival symbolise the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, as well as knowledge over ignorance. This Deepavali 2023, come on down and celebrate Festival of Lights at Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) Deepavali Open House 2023!

Taking place over five weekends from 14th October to 12th November 2023, IHC invites you to come on down, soak and immerse yourself into this bright and colourful festival, and rich traditions of Deepavali across four themes, featuring a range of cultural programmes, performances workshops and more!

Week 1 – Food (14th & 15th October 2023)

The theme for the first weekend is “Food”. Visitors to IHC embarked on a flavourful journey with the Hyderabad Mock Meat Biryani – Deepavali Edition cooking demonstration, an innovative reinterpretation of the Hyderabad favourite; they also learn how to prepare traditional sweets with a hands-on Ladoo Making and Storytelling session for families.

Visitors also joined in on a special Food Trail in Little India to take in the smell of spices, vibrant scenes, colourful street art, and delicious street food as the precinct revels in the festive atmosphere.

Missed out on the first weekend Food theme? Don’t worry! When you visit IHC over the weekends for the various IHC Deepavali cultural programmes, you can explore all the various food places around Little India!

Week 2 – Fashion (21st & 22nd October 2023)

The theme for the second weekend is “Fashion”. Visitors to IHC can learn about the finer details and intricacies of draping a saree at the Indian Fashion & Saree Draping Masterclass. Visitors can also learn about the rich heritage of South Indian jewellery at the South Indian Jewellery Painting Workshop.

Indian Fashion & Saree Draping Masterclass

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, Level 2 Activity Room
Date: 21 October 2023
Time: 11am – 1pm
Admission fee: $20

South Indian Jewellery Painting Workshop

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, Seminar Room
Date: 21 & 22 October 2023
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Admission fee: $20

Henna Artistry Workshop

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, Level 2 Activity Room
Date: 22 October 2023
Time: 11am – 1.30pm
Admission fee: $20

Week 3 – Arts (28th & 29th October 2023)

The theme for the third weekend is “Arts”. Visitors to IHC can register for the workshops and learn more about Indian artistic traditions from the Kala Sangam – Indian Miniatures Workshop. The Tanjore Art Workshop lets participants get hands-on with this South Indian art form.

If this is your first visit to IHC, don’t miss this special and enchanting performance! The Candlelight Cultural Performance that showcase Deepavali’s rich beauty through kathak, a classic Indian dance form.

Tanjore Art Workshop

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, Seminar Room
Date: 28 & 29 October 2023
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Admission fee: $25

Kala Sangam – Indian Miniatures Workshop

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, Level 2 Activity Room
Date: 26 – 29 October 2023
Time: 3pm – 4.30pm
Admission fee: $20

Candlelight Cultural Performances

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, Level 3 Gallery
Date: 4 & 5 November 2023
A Heritage Institution of
Time: 11am, 2pm, & 4pm
Admission fee: Free

Week 4 – Mythology (4th & 5th November 2023)

The theme for the fourth weekend is “Mythology”. This would be an excellent time to learn about the rich Mythology that surrounds Deepavali, there is an engaging lineup of workshops, including an immersive experience of the love story of Hindu god Krishna and goddess Radha through the Dramatised Gallery Tour.

Dramatised Gallery Tour

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, Permanent Galleries
Date: 4 November 2023
Time: 10am – 11am
Admission fee: $10

Peacocks Around Little India – Storytelling

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, Permanent Galleries
Date: 4 November 2023
Time: 11am – 2pm
Admission fee: $10

Tapestries of Krishna – Pichwai Painting Workshop

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, Seminar Room
Date: 4 & 5 November 2023
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Admission fee: $20

Final weekend – Celebrate Deepavali! (11th & 12th November 2023)

Deepavali 2023 falls on 12th November 2023, on the eve and day of Deepavali, come on down and soak in the Deepavali festive atmosphere at IHC with its colourful decorations. Let IHC be your base to explore and enjoy Deepavali festivities around Little India, do also remember to visit IHC exhibitions!

Little India Light Up

A bright, colourful and spectacular light up not to be missed, Little India Light Up! When you visit IHC Deepavali Open House 2023, you can’t miss those bright and colourful views when you explore Little India.

Let’s Celebrate Deepavali 2023 at Indian Heritage Centre Deepavali Open House 2023!

Deepavali is celebrated by Hindus, as well as by Indians of other religions such as the Sikhs and the Jains. Non-Hindus are also able to enjoy the public festivities, they can visit Indian Heritage Centre Deepavali Open House 2023, immerse into the Deepavali festival, learn and understand more about Deepavali, enjoy the Little India light-up, and visiting Little India.

If you like to learn and understand more about Deepavali, please visit https://www.roots.gov.sg/ich-landing/ich/deepavali

Interested in any of the above IHC Deepavali Open House 2023 programmes and planning to attend? Take note that registration is required, you can visit https://ihcdeepavaliopenhouse.peatix.com to register for your desired IHC programmes.

For more information on IHC Deepavali Open House 2023, please visit https://www.indianheritage.gov.sg/en or IHC Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/indianheritagecentre/