Our Reflection.
To sum it all up, it was really an eye-opening experience for us. Little India as we know it it just filled with colourful saris, intriguing hennas and spicy desserts. And as the name itself mentions, we assume everything there is all that has to do with the Indian culture.
Sadly mistaken, we found many other races whose prominent building reside in heart of that little area.
Not recently built too, but during colonial times. Certainly the different religious sites made us curious to why the buildings situated there.
On this trail that we’ve embarked on, it was definitely just more than interesting.
Never did we knew that the streets were all named after a significant individual who made their own contributions to Singapore.
At certain parts of the trail, we did feel as though we were tourist instead of proudly saying "Oh I know this!" =D
And we can only be glad that certain historical values of this little area has been preserved for the next generations to learn about.
Despite the scorching sun, the smell of curry and the lingering throng of people, we’ve enjoyed ourselves and at the end of the day learnt more about the culture that this unique situated right in our homeland Singapore. =]
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
The Great Escapade to the Exotic Land of Spices
Characters: Aisyah, Farahdee, Sue
Introduction
Once upon a time,
3 little girls decided to go on an adventure to occupy their lazy Monday afternoon.
Farahdee having had a sudden craving for Masala Thosai, decided that they should complete their heritage trail and head over to the Exotic Land, Little India.
First we set foot on Tekka Market, and enjoyed our Masala Thosai. After lunch, we explored the roads, places of interests and historical monuments.
The journey begins ……..
Introduction
Once upon a time,
3 little girls decided to go on an adventure to occupy their lazy Monday afternoon.
Farahdee having had a sudden craving for Masala Thosai, decided that they should complete their heritage trail and head over to the Exotic Land, Little India.
First we set foot on Tekka Market, and enjoyed our Masala Thosai. After lunch, we explored the roads, places of interests and historical monuments.
The journey begins ……..
5 VERY INTERESTING FACTS
1. It was interesting to find a Chinese Villa among the Indian territory, and it’s prominently displayed.
2. Many different religious communities, place of worships are within close proximity of one another.
3. It was called rangon(The Marabou Stork) by the local Malay villagers.
4. Many road names were named after many significant individuals. (e.g Hastings Rd)
5. The national bird of India, is a peacock.
2. Many different religious communities, place of worships are within close proximity of one another.
3. It was called rangon(The Marabou Stork) by the local Malay villagers.
4. Many road names were named after many significant individuals. (e.g Hastings Rd)
5. The national bird of India, is a peacock.
1. Tekka Market
1. Tekka Market
What does the name “Tekka” mean?
"The foot of bamboo shoots."
What does “Kandang Kerbau” stand for?
What does the name “Tekka” mean?
"The foot of bamboo shoots."
What does “Kandang Kerbau” stand for?
It stands for bull pens.
What does these names tell you about this area?
Bull rearing was famous in this area.
2. Buffalo Road
2. Buffalo Road
This is one of the oldest arterial roads in Serangoon Road area. What does the name suggest of the main activity in this area?
This is one of the oldest arterial roads in Serangoon Road area. What does the name suggest of the main activity in this area?
It was previously lined with many buffalo pens where snake charmers, fortune tellers, astrologers, palmists and even parrot-astrologers plied their trade here.
3. Kerbau Road
3. Kerbau Road
Again, what does the name “Kerbau Road” suggests about the main activity on this road?
Kerbau stands for bulls thus reiterating the point that bulls were reared here.
Again, what does the name “Kerbau Road” suggests about the main activity on this road?
Kerbau stands for bulls thus reiterating the point that bulls were reared here.
4. Chinese Villa
4. Chinese Villa
What is the name of the villa located at No. 37 Kerbau Road?
House of Tan Teng Niah.
Who was is named after?
Tan Teng Niah who owned several sweet-making factories along Serangoon Road and a rubber smokehouse along Kerbau Road . It is believed that he built the house for his beloved wife to symbolise endurance.
What was the history of the villa?
What is the name of the villa located at No. 37 Kerbau Road?
House of Tan Teng Niah.
Who was is named after?
Tan Teng Niah who owned several sweet-making factories along Serangoon Road and a rubber smokehouse along Kerbau Road . It is believed that he built the house for his beloved wife to symbolise endurance.
What was the history of the villa?
The elegant house is one of the last surviving Chinese Villas. Built in 1900, this eight-room villa was restored in 1980. It has a gorgeous architecture, the pintu pagar or intricately carved swinging door, second storey overhangs and ornate staircase.
5. Little India Arcade
5. Little India Arcade
What is the address of this cluster of buildings?
48, Serangoon Road Singapore 217959.
How old are the buildings?
What is the address of this cluster of buildings?
48, Serangoon Road Singapore 217959.
How old are the buildings?
These buildings are dated back to the 1920’s, making it about 87 years as of today.
6. Hastings Road
6. Hastings Road
Who is Hastings Road named after?
Warren Hastings, the first governor-general of Bengal.
Who is Hastings Road named after?
Warren Hastings, the first governor-general of Bengal.
7. Campbell Lane
7. Campbell Lane
Who is Campbell Lane named after?
Sir Colin Campbell.
What is the significance of the flower garlands?
Who is Campbell Lane named after?
Sir Colin Campbell.
What is the significance of the flower garlands?
These flower garlands are mainly used for religious purposes. They are placed on deities as prayer offerings or to garland important guests as a sign of respect.
Can you find the information board on “The Shop of P. Govindasamy Pillai”? What does it tell you about the man?
Yes, we found the information board.
He began his life as a lowly immigrant, but went on to become the king of the textile industry, a social reformer and philanthropist, and is now a local legend.
He came to Singapore in 1905 with 13 rupees in his hands and initially, lived off the charity of a generous Indian family. He found employment in Serangoon Road as an assistant in a sundry shop. Finally, in 1929, he got the got the opportunity to buy over the shop upon the owner’s death. He then embarked on a new retail career involving quality textiles and sarees, and soon became very successful. Not forgetting his humble roots, he always lent a helping hands to others and helped out in many worthy causes.
8. Dunlop Street
8. Dunlop Street
Who is it named after?
Colonel Samuel Dunlop who served in Singapore as the Inspector-General of Police of the Straits Settlements in 1875 and as a member of the Municipal Commission in 1887. It is also probable that this street was named after A.E. Dunlop, Secretary of the Race Course Committee of the Serangoon area.
What was the oiginal name of the street?
Before the 1870s, this street was known as Rangasamy Road.
Who is it named after?
Colonel Samuel Dunlop who served in Singapore as the Inspector-General of Police of the Straits Settlements in 1875 and as a member of the Municipal Commission in 1887. It is also probable that this street was named after A.E. Dunlop, Secretary of the Race Course Committee of the Serangoon area.
at the junction of Dunlop Street
9. Abdul Gafoor Mosque (National Monument)
9. Abdul Gafoor Mosque (National Monument)
What is the address of the mosque?
41, Dunlop Street. Singapore 209369.
When was the original mosque built?
1907, it was initially named Masjid Al-Abrar or Al-Abrar Mosque
Who rebuilt the mosque?
Which community worships here?
What is the address of the mosque?
41, Dunlop Street. Singapore 209369.
When was the original mosque built?
1907, it was initially named Masjid Al-Abrar or Al-Abrar Mosque
Who rebuilt the mosque?
Originally a wooden structure built on land leased by Shaik Abdul Gaffoor bin Shaik Hyder in 1859, the mosque was rebuilt in brick in 1910.
What kind of style was it built in?
The mosque boasts a unique blend of Moorish-Islamic and South Indian architectural styles.Architecturally it is modelled after Saracenic and Roman designs. Apart from Islamic details, many Western classical motifs are also used in the architectural decoration of the mosque.
Which community worships here?
It was built to cater to the Indian Muslims.
10. Church of the True Light
10. Church of the True Light
This church was built in 1952 at 25-G Perak Road for which communities?
It was built to cater to Trishaw riders who worked and lived in that area.
This church was built in 1952 at 25-G Perak Road for which communities?
It was built to cater to Trishaw riders who worked and lived in that area.
They also served the Chinese community of Hock Chew and Hinghwa descent in Little India.
11. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
11. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
When was this built and by whom?
1855 by the Tamil labourers.
Who is it dedicated to?
Goddess of Power, Kali, consort of Shiva.
What was the original name of the temple?
Sunnambu Kambam Kovil or “Temple at the Village of Lime”.
When was this built and by whom?
1855 by the Tamil labourers.
Who is it dedicated to?
Goddess of Power, Kali, consort of Shiva.
What was the original name of the temple?
Sunnambu Kambam Kovil or “Temple at the Village of Lime”.
12. Sri Srinivasa Temple
12. Sri Srinivasa Temple
When was this temple built and by whom?
1885 by the South-East Hindu Community.
What was it originally known as?
What kind of architectural style is the temple built in?
South Indian architectural style.
Who is this temple dedicated to?
Lord Perumal (Vishnu).
When was this temple built and by whom?
1885 by the South-East Hindu Community.
What was it originally known as?
It was formerly known as Narasinga Perumal Kovil
What kind of architectural style is the temple built in?
South Indian architectural style.
Who is this temple dedicated to?
13. Race Course Road
13. Race Course Road
What do the name race Course Road (and the names of the nearby streets) suggest about this area?
What do the name race Course Road (and the names of the nearby streets) suggest about this area?
The road is named after the racecourses which was an integral part of Singapore’s history back then.
When was the Race Course opened?
It was opened for the European immigrants in 1843.
14. Leong San See Temple
14. Leong San See Temple
What is the meaning of the name of the temple?
Dragon Mountain Temple.
When was it established and by whom?
1913 by Reverend Chuan Wu.
Which deity is the temple dedicated to?
Kwan Yin, Goddess of Mercy.
What school was established by the abbot of the temple in 1925?
Leong San See School
What is the meaning of the name of the temple?
Dragon Mountain Temple.
When was it established and by whom?
1913 by Reverend Chuan Wu.
Which deity is the temple dedicated to?
Kwan Yin, Goddess of Mercy.
What school was established by the abbot of the temple in 1925?
Leong San See School
15. Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple
15. Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple
This temple has both Chinese and Hindu devotees.
Which statues of deities can you find inside the temple?
15 metre, 300 ton statue of Buddha which is surrounded by 989 lights
When was it built and by whom?
Vutthissa Sava a monk from Thailand founded it in 1927.
This temple has both Chinese and Hindu devotees.
Which statues of deities can you find inside the temple?
15 metre, 300 ton statue of Buddha which is surrounded by 989 lights
When was it built and by whom?
Vutthissa Sava a monk from Thailand founded it in 1927.
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