Soaking in the festive atmosphere in Little India on the eve of the Festival of Lights was as easy as how my t-shirt soaked up the sweat off my back. The balmy night did not deter the thousands of people choking the streets of Little India for some last minute preparations, taking photos as well as catching up with friends.

Photo Caption: The crowd got bigger as the night wore on.

It was indeed a festive atmosphere with loud laughter, music and chatter all thrown into a cacophonous mix of blaring horns from the traffic and the shouts of stallholders hawking their wares that include ethnic jewellery and accessories, garbs as well as food items. There was even a makeshift roadside tailor doing last-minute fixing of pants and shirts for their customers, using an old-school sewing machine! How quaint. And under the decorative lights that lined the 2km stretch of Little India, it looked like the whole world has descended to Little India, and celebrating Diwali.

Photo Caption: A makeshift roadside tailor fixing pants and shirts using an old-school sewing machine.

Other races were also there to share the joy of those celebrating the Festival of Lights. A Malay family was spotted buying festive cakes and cookies, probably to top-up their dwindling stocks from the Hari Raya festivities. Several workers from China were also seen mingling with their Indian counterparts, bonding over beer and nuts. Tourists were also spotted braving the crowds and heat to partake in the festivities.

Photo Caption: Stall owners busy haggling with customers on items like dresses and festive garb.

However, the reverent silence of the temple devotees rose above the noise in the Sri Srinavasa Perumal temple, where food was distributed to the poor, and where Hindu devotees go for blessings from the priests. A far cry from the loud, bustling streets of the shopping belt in Serangoon Road, it proved to be a welcome respite from it all, and takes you to what Diwali should be about.

Photo Caption: A priest at Sri Srinavasa Perumal temple making offerings and pronouncing blessings.

At the stroke of midnight, firecrackers and party poppers went off as the night exploded into a sonic flurry of crackles and pops, while colourful confetti wafted through the air as the celebrations reached fever pitch. Groups of people were dancing and singing on the sidewalk, joined by strangers who shared their joy as horns blared on the streets in celebration.

As the night wore on, the crowds thinned out as the stallholders prepared to call it a night. Under the bright decorative lights,, even as the crowds disappeared, Little India was still a sight to behold, as the festive air still lingers around amidst the fading music and the disappearing shouts of revelry.

Photo Caption: Festive cakes, Indian cookies and snacks: Some of the tasty tidbits at Little India.