Festive quarter

India is a country of festivals. With its many faiths and gods, there is a festival almost every day of the year, celebrated with much gusto by its people. The Indian community around the world and in Singapore celebrate these festivals with as much enthusiasm and have given them their own unique flavour.

The last quarter of the year is the most festive of them all - with big festivals like Navratri, Durga Puja, Deepavali, Bakrid and Christmas.

The festivities start from September onwards.

With Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day festival to worship the elephant god, the remover of obstacles. In Singapore, the Maharashtra Mandal organises the Ganeshotsav celebrations at the Global Indian International School's Queenstown campus. The celebrations are accompanied by traditional Marathi dances, music and other folk art, before the visarjan (immersion) of the Ganesh idol on the last day.

For residents of Melville Park, a condominium in Simei with several Indian residents, the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi and other Indian festivals is a means to educate their children about the rich Indian culture and traditions.

Resident and organiser of the Ganesh Chaturthi event Pooja Dogra said: "By celebrating this festival we wanted to create awareness among our children about our culture and mythology and give a platform to the kids and mothers to display their talent. We had many activities like fancy dress, mythological skits, dance performances and singing for children as well as adults."

The residents of the condominium celebrate all Indian festivals with equal enthusiasm. Ms Ramya Prem, another Melville resident who started the Melville Moms Facebook group which now has 500 members, said: "At Melville Park, we celebrate all occasions keeping in mind the need for the younger generation to stay in touch with our roots and also to bring the residents together. We celebrate everything from Diwali to Independence Day, Christmas to Navratri."

Sept 13 marked Onam, the big festival of the Malayalees, who come from the state of Kerala. They celebrate the homecoming of their mythical king Mahabali. In Singapore, many Malayalee families organised Onam Sadhya, a vegetarian feast consisting of up to 26 dishes, served on banana leaves.

Come Sept 25, and it's Navratri, a nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, which celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Though the festival is celebrated with great zeal across India, it's the Gujaratis who mark the occasion with great flamboyance and colour.

The Singapore Gujarati Society (SGS) organises a five-day dandiya and garba raas night every year during Navratri. This year's Navratri celebration by the SGS will be held on Sept 25, 26, 27 and Oct 3 and 4.

SGS president Biren Desai said: "We welcome all to come together in a festive celebratory atmosphere and bask in the Gujarati culture. Navratri is one of our biggest festivals where everyone comes together. It's a celebration of good over evil and this theme is close to everyone's heart. We have been organising Navratri celebrations since 1956 and for the last 13 years we have had it at the Singapore Swimming Club. People from all communities enjoy it and one needs to be there to experience why this event is close to SGS and the Gujarati community's heart."

If the Gujaratis have Navratri, the Bengalis celebrate the Durga Puja. The Bengali Association Singapore's Durga Puja will begin from Panchami, which falls on Sept 28 with the Anandomela and continues till Vijayadashami on Oct 4. The Durga Puja refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Vijayadashami.

Mr Nikhilesh Gupta, the former president of the Bengali Association, said: "The Puja is definitely the Bengalis' biggest festival. In Kolkata it is the idols of the goddess which are the highlights of the event, showing the craftsmanship of the potters who make them. The Bengali Association also brings in the idols from India, a place called Kumortuli in northern Kolkata."

Under Mr Gupta's 10-year presidency, the Bengali Association won the best overseas Puja celebration by Bengali newspaper Anand Bazaar Patrika for five years.

For 19-year-old Akash Saha, who is doing his national service, Durga Puja is a grand celebration with family and friends. He said: "Ma Durga comes down from the heavens on the sixth day from the first rising moon in October, and visits her maternal home for four days. She is known for killing a lot of demons, and uncovering evil. So we celebrate that; and wear new clothes every day for the four days.

"On the last day, she goes back to her in-laws, and her mode of transport is believed to have an influence on the weather in India. If she comes in a boat and leaves it here, India will face floods. If she comes to earth on a horse or elephant, and leaves them here, then India will likely face drought."

The Vijayadashami is also celebrated as Dussehra among the Indian community and is one of the most important festivals of the Hindus. It marks Lord Ram's victory over the 10-headed demon king Ravan. Across India, tales from the Ramayana are created which finally culminate in Ram's triumph over Ravan.

Following Dussehra comes Deepavali or Diwali, the Festival of Lights which signifies the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and is the biggest Hindu festival in India. In Singapore, the Deepavali light-up in Little India is a must see for all. Organised by the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association, the grand decorations deck up Serangoon Road and Race Course Road.

Families tradionally clean their homes, buy new utensils, wear new clothers and prepare lavish meals for the festival.

Mr Vinayak Mahesh, a banker, said Deepavali is a time for all family members to come together. "We go to Little India to see the decorations and enjoy family meals. It is a special time for the kids, who wait for this festival every year," he said.

Before Deepavali, Indian Muslims celebrate Bakrid or Eid al-Adha, which honours Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his only son. In Singapore it is referred to as Hari Raya Haji and is an important time for families to get together.

Mrs Mumtaz Begum, 49, a production operator, said: "We wake up early, wash ourselves and visit the mosque for prayers. After prayers, we head back home to have breakfast, then wait for our relatives and friends to arrive. We entertain them by serving them food and drinks. We pray as a group. Celebrating Hari Raya allows us to ask forgiveness from elders as asking forgiveness is a must in Islam. We also celebrate Hari Raya to experience the delicious food cooked in different households. It's more of family bonding, spending time with our loved ones and worshipping our Creator."

Lastly, there's Christmas, the most important festival for Christians, marking the day of Jesus' birth. Primary school teacher Ryna Mahindapala, 25, says it is a wholesome occasion for family.

"On Christmas Eve, we gather at my grandaunt's place for turkey, ham, traditional Indian fare such as chicken curry, fish cutlets and sothi. In the following days, we open our houses to family and friends. This is a time of giving and sharing as much as making merry. Around Christmas time, the youth in our church (Short Street Tamil Methodist Church) also go all-night carolling with our instruments and voices ringing everything from Silent Night to Feliz Navidad.

"The most significant part is when we commemorate the birth of Jesus in a humble manger. Often, swaddling a doll and having our preschoolers re-enact the manger scene puts the raving, Orchard Road-like, glitzy Christmas into perspective. All Christians gathered, young and old alike, centre on this focal point. I'm looking forward to Christmas already."

So don't delay. Get your festive finery out and get ready to celebrate.

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