Tag Archives: Singapore

Vesak Day A Peaceful Celebration Void of the Blast of Commercialization

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A festival void of unnecessary gaieties and blast, the Vesak Day is celebrated by the Buddhist scattered the world over, with great reverence and veneration. Vesak marks the most important day of the Buddhist calendar, in which the birth, enlightenment and the death of the Buddha is commemorated with great joy and meditation.

In Singapore, the Vesak day is celebrated usually on the 15th day of the 4th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Many good deeds are performed on this sacred day by the Buddhists as they believe that such deeds will multiply in worth many times over when performed on this day. Hence caged birds and animals meant for slaughter are released, vegetarian meals are savored and blood donations are organized and participated in by the young and old alike. It is also customary to bathe a statue of Buddha, symbolizing the showers of the waters of the nine dragons that bathed Buddha after birth.

In Singapore, the Buddhist community constitutes both Mahayana and Theravada variants of Buddhism. While the Mahayana is followed by the Chinese Buddhists of Singapore, the Sri Lankan and Burmese Buddhists residing in China follow Theravada. The celebrations of each group vary slightly.

On the day of Vesak, Mahayana Buddhists observe the “three-step, one-bow” ritual wherein devotees on bended knee take three steps and a bow whilst praying for repentance and peace on a procession that continues for two long hours. Conversely, the Theravada Buddhists gather in temples and prepare a pot of milk rice to symbolize Buddha’s last meal prior to the long fasting that began with the journey toward enlightenment. Many gather to the Lian Shan Shuang Lin Temple or the Budda Tooth Relic Temple to celebrate the day of Vesak.

This charming festival can be witnessed by the visitors in the month of May in Singapore. Luxury suites such as the St. Regis Singapore, will ensure that the holiday is spent amid sheer comfort. With its plethora of luxury hotels, Singapore is lit up in reverence for the Vesak celebrations that will be observed by many around the world who visit during the season.

 

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.

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Cultural Festivals Singapore – Engaging Festivities in the Lion City

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Renowned the world over as one of Asia’s most culturally diverse nations the island metropolis of Singapore is no ordinary holiday destination in the region. As the metropolitan home of a plethora of cultures the Lion City is also a festival capital in Asia with various local festivals celebrated by its multi-ethnic populace decorating its annual calendar. Marked with great pomp and pageantry the festivals highlighting the diverse heritage of Singapore’s vibrant population are nothing short of mesmerizing with the entire city transforming its appearance for the coveted events that are viewed as national celebrations rather than secular events.

The Chinese Lunar New Year is one such festival where the entire country comes together in the month of January to mark the birth of a new year. Characterized by the larger than life Chingay Parade which is deemed Singapore’s most colorful street celebration and the River Hong Bao cultural and shopping mêlée that takes centre stage at the Esplanade Park each year the lunar new year is synonymous with family gatherings and delectable seasonal food that is widely available in Chinatown and other areas of the city.

The month of May is synonymous with the Buddhist festival of Vesak which marks the birth, enlightenment and the attainment of nirvana by Buddhism’s supreme leader Lord Buddha. Mass celebrations in the form of candle lit marches takes place in prominent temples in the city such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Lian Shan Shuang Lin Temple where the faithful flocks to meditate, give alms and chant Buddhist sutras. Charity events and alms giving to the poor are also organized during this period by many Buddhists.

Other red letter cultural festivals include Pongal, a four day harvest festival marked by Tamil communities in the country while November brings the sights and sounds of the Indian New Year Deepavali to the corners of Little India in Singapore. The Mid- Autumn festival which falls in September is best known for Lantern parades and moon cakes whereas The Hungry Ghost Festival is famous for Chinese opera performances and mouthwatering feasts. The Hari Raya Puasa in contrast is an Islamic festival where visitors can sample Malay delicacies and shop in street bazaars.

Travellers in search of luxury Singapore service apartments will be more than pleased with Somerset Liang Court Singapore. Offering guests the best in contemporary facilities and amenities this elegant rest provides serviced accommodation Singapore ranks among the finest in the island.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Chinese New Year in Singapore: An Annual Affair of Splendour

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The celebration of the New Year on the 1st of January each year is in fact according to only one calendar: the Gregorian calendar, the existing calendar which has been unofficially acknowledged by a number of high profile institutions thereby making it the most accepted. While the Gregorian calendar remains the most accepted, a number of countries, depending on the regions they belong to, celebrate the dawn of the New Year according to various calendars. As a result, nations of the world celebrate this event at different times of the year such as the Cambodian New Year, the Filipino New Year Celebration, the Islamic New Year, the Sinhalese New Year, Baby New Year, Twelve Grapes and more.

The Chinese New year is one such celebration which dawns with the first month of the Chinese calendar and lasts for fifteen days. Known also by names such as the Lunar New Year, and the Spring Festival, this event is celebrated by a number of countries and communities including Singapore. Some of the traditions associated with this celebration is the donning of new clothes to mark the dawn of the new year, conducting a thorough cleaning of their homes in order to dispel any evil, making family visits and the Reunion Dinner which witnesses relatives and friends coming together to celebrate the dawn of yet another beautiful year, in the hope that it will be prosperous and bountiful.

Tourists visiting Singapore in February will witness multitudes of red lanterns being hung along the streets and on the porches of houses as well as the central pageant, the Chingay Parade that is held alongside the Marina waterfront. An iconic location to have such a colourful celebration, the Chingay Parade is one procession that tourists should aim to witness.

Whether you choose to reside in any one of the amazing luxury hotels Singaporeor opt to rent out a small studio, from wherever you are, the splendour of the Chinese New Year is palatable and visible. If you wish to experience this marvellous holiday in style at one of the Singapore luxury suites, there truly is no better option than the hotel located in the heart of the shopping district: The St. Regis Singapore.

Singapore Writers Festival 2013 – an outstanding literary event

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The much anticipated Singapore Writers Festival is a delightful experience for anyone interested in the field of literature. Having completed 15 years of successful existence, the yearly event has secured a strong reputation as one of Asia’s most significant literary extravaganzas. Having evolved into being one of the mainstays of the international literary calendar this event attracts many notable writers from across the globe.

The festival has featured notable literary personalities like Steve Levitt, Michael Chabon, Bi Feiyu, Neil Gaiman and Gail Simone. The engrossing organised events like lectures, workshops and other features combined with the cosmopolitan ambience of Singapore make this extravaganza a unique experience.

Initially the event commenced as an offshoot of an arts festival and a springboard for local Singaporean writing talent. However the event has developed into a truly international occasion which draws the attention of literary aficionados the world over. A noteworthy aspect of the event is that it is multi-lingual, with English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil panels and the necessary translations available. The festival is also significant for its diverse topics and themes which make it appealing for a broad cross-section of readers and writers. The extravaganza encompasses various genres such as highbrow concerns, cookery writing, sports writing and children’s fiction just to name a few.

This is also an excellent venue for aspiring writers to show off their work and if fortune favours them, to leave the event with an agent’s attention or even a book contract. Aspiring writers should take the opportunity to attend features like lectures, workshops and symposiums which will explain how to develop a novel, biography, screenplay or poem from a mere idea to completion and publication. It is even possible to have a meal with your favourite author and discuss literary matters.

Although this is unquestionably a premier literary event many of the events are modestly priced while others are free of charge. Anyone with an interest in books will be enthralled by this splendid event.

Visitors to the city seeking hotels in Singapore will find an exemplary choice in the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Singapore. These fine Singapore hotels offer well-appointed interiors and an array of amenities.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.

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Events & Festivals in Singapore – Vibrant and exciting

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Travellers on the lookout for Singapore hotel promotions should keep Days Hotel Singapore in mind. A 3 Star hotel in Singapore of this calibre never fails to ensure a pleasurable holiday experience in the region. With a rich ethnic and religious diversity, Singapore celebrates a variety of events and festivals. Among the major ethnic and religious events are Deepavali, Hari Raya, Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year whilst Singapore Food Festival, Singapore International Film Festival and the Singapore Arts Festival are special cultural highlights. From musical performances and exhibitions to sporting events and vibrant nightlife entertainment, the events are truly diverse. Among the well known annual events are F1 Singapore Grand Prix, Mosaic Music Festival and the Chingay Parade.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Christmas in Singapore – a winter wonderland in the sun

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Renowned as Asia’s Christmas epicenter, the metropolitan landscapes of the Lion City transforms into a winter wonderland, come the month of December. Perfectly suited for those who wish to spend a Christmas in a tropical paradise, the month-long programme of festivities organized by the city this year offers visitors from around the world a rage of yuletide attractions infused with plenty of Christmas spirit.
One of the must-have experiences in Singapore during the Christmas season is of course a tour of the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ “Walk the Trees of the World” enclosure where the pathway from the Bandstand to the Tanglin Core showcases an impressive 200 Christmas trees. Dubbed “tropical” Christmas trees, the elaborately decorated trees each represent a culture and country displaying the national characteristics of various nations through decorations. A virtual snow storm all takes place each evening on December days when the Christmas showcase in front of Tanglin Mall explodes in a snow storm of soap bubbles. The malls around the city also compete for the yearly Best-dressed Building Award and shoppers can experience snow-infested environs along with bargain Christmas sales when they shop at Ngee Ann City, Paragon, Ion, and Wisma Atria department stores this December.

Christmas lights are also visible down Orchard Road where store after plush store is decked in their holiday best for the season. Renowned as Singapore’s trendiest shopping street, the glittering storefronts down Orchard Road is only surpassed by the Christmas Light Up held in Marina Bay. Both attractions can be viewed on board an open top bus tour at night for a steal of a deal as visitors have the choice of hopping on and off the buses at will.

Scrumptious Christmas buffets also take centre stage in the city’s major hotels where guests can enjoy yuletide specialties and local delicacies in an all-in-one, family-style meal fit for a king. Christmas treats such as cakes and other baked goods also feature heavily in the lunch time buffets, which also incorporate traditional Asian flavors into conventional Christmas specialties. Caroling choirs and outdoor winter fashion shows also hit an all-time high during Christmas, where visitors can discover the styles of the season from the country’s and the world’s leading fashion brands.

Travellers in search of Singapore luxury suites from which to best enjoy the holiday season will be more than pleased with the living spaces of The St. Regis Singapore. Providing guests with the finest suites in the Lion City, it is little wonder this stylish rest is among the luxury hotels Singapore counts among its best accommodation providers.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Christmas in Singapore – Christmas in the Tropics

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Singapore is a beautiful country that boasts of state-of-the-art facilities and cleanliness beyond imagination. Everything here is streamlined and urban with echoes of traditionalism still alive in the heart of the citizens. The authentic array of cuisines along with stylish boutiques, this country is definitely the place to be. This is the case where on Christmas Day you can spend this holiday in the most unique way in Singapore.

The term ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ is what is commonly used by anyone spending this holiday season in Singapore and it is a month-long celebration. The Singaporeans go absolutely all-out where the malls compete with each other to out-light by decorating their buildings with delightful and copious amounts of lighting; stilt-walkers and acrobats roam the street entertaining the crowd and taking pictures with everyone. For fashion-lovers, makeshifts ramps are set up on the streets where models show-off the latest and trendiest designs while the entire atmosphere is like a carnival of the highest order.

Spend some time at the Botanic Gardens of Singapore which showcases ‘Trees of the World’ where the part from the Tanglin core to the Bandstand is lined with 200 Christmas trees representing a different culture or country through its unique decoration. One element of Christmas is its food and Singapore delivers dutifully. The Christmas buffets have everything and more than you can imagine and should be tried and tested in at least three different places. Shop to your heart’s content at the immensely adorned malls that offer incredible discounts and make sure to visit a church that displays the true spirit of Christmas.

Most importantly, see the lights down Orchard Road, Sentosa Habourfront and Marine Bay where the light shows are exotically out of this world. Entire streets are lit up wonderfully and the performances will render you speechless. Singapore is indeed a jolly place to be on Christmas- instead of missing out on anything you’ll be gaining an experience of a lifetime.

A luxury resort Singapore and the backdrop of Christmas is a beautiful combination to make you spend this holiday season in the tropics. The amazing Sentosa resort Singapore offering the best of style and adventure, the W Singapore Sentosa Cove and the endless possibilities in which to spend Christmas in awaits your presence. So are you ready?

 

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Upcoming Events in Singapore – What’s On in the Lion City

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A dynamic metropolis that is constantly evolving while being rooted with its rich history, Singapore hosts a wide range of events and festivals throughout the year that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. No matter what time of year you visit, make sure to find centrally located accommodation and those in search of such luxury hotels Singapore has to offer can consider The St. Regis Singapore. Featuring plush Singapore luxury suites, this well placed property can be found in the embassy quarter and is an ideal place from which to set off to the city’s event venues.

One of the most eagerly anticipated events this year is the 2013 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix which gives you the chance to witness F1’s only night race at the Marina Bay Street track. The event which is scheduled to run from 20th to 22nd September also features lively entertainment including performances by The Killers and Rihanna. If you love shopping for “bling” make sure to visit the Singapore Jewellery & Gem Fair (October 12th to 15th) at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre which will play host to more than 200 jewellery houses from around the world. Art lovers will be pleased to known that Singapore Biennale 2013 (October 26th, 2013 to February 16th, 2014) will take place at several venues in the Bras Basah-Bugis precinct, while shopaholics will not want to miss the Sentosa Boardwalk Bazaar (runs up to December 28th) where one can purchase a variety of new and second-hand items and apparels.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

New Year Celebrations in Singapore – A joyous event

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While the 31st December, the eve of the New Year is a special one for almost everybody all over the world, it is even special for Singaporeans. The Singapore New Year countdown is indeed everybody looks forward to. Celebrate this event at one of the most comfortable luxury hotels Singapore has on offer and a recommended choice would be The St. Regis Singapore which offers Singapore luxury suites fulfilling every possible need of its visitors. New Year is an important event for all since it signifies the ending of a year and the beginning of a new one, thereby signifying new beginnings. It is a symbol of hope which is why the dawning of the New Year is celebrated in a large bout of fanfare in this island. Get into the groove of thumping music, vibrant firework and frenzied dancing at the Padang at City Hall facing Marina Bay, Merlion Park, Esplanade Bridge, and the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. While all the top hotels of the country will be taking part of the joyful event, there will also be exciting beach parties for all those who are eager to celebrate to their hearts content at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s eve.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+

Mid-Autumn Festival Singapore

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The mid-autumn festival held in Singapore was brought by their Chinese ancestors and is still celebrated with much mirth and ardour. A yearly even in August or September, the festival has many legends attached to it. Also called the Mooncake or Lantern festival, the traditional date for the festival is the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Originally a harvest festival over the centuries, it has become a celebration of fertility and harvest.

Moon worship is an integral aspect of this event and it is believed that the sun and moon are a couple while all the stars are their children. According to such beliefs, the moon becomes round when she is pregnant and after giving birth she changes to a crescent. Another legend associated with the moon is that of Chang’e; the moon goddess of immortality. While one version of it states that Chang’e became a goddess by drinking the elixir of immortality to prevent her husband’s evil apprentice stealing it, another states that she drank it to prevent her husband who became a tyrannical ruler, reign forever.
Similar to Thanksgiving, the mid-autumn festival is more of a family gathering where you spend quality time with your loved ones. People also head over to Chinatown to soak in the carnival atmosphere. The origins of lanterns becoming part of this festival is unknown, over time however they have evolved to become the symbol of the event. Today thousands of lanterns, in various hues, brightly lit and beautiful decorate the city.

Mooncakes are another important element of the mid-autumn festival. Distributing a round mooncake to everyone in the family and sharing it together is considered a symbol of unity and reunion. Mooncakes can be found in a variety of flavours like lotus, egg yolk, durian, chocolate, coffee, ice cream and many other scrumptious tastes.

This celebration attracts tons of visitors and the city can get very crowded, therefore finding suitable accommodation means booking Singapore hotels in advance hotels in Singapore are available for any budget and early booking offers are also available. Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Singapore is one of the renowned hotels.