Good Little India temple etiquette comes down to a few simple habits. Take off your shoes, cover your shoulders and knees, keep your voice low and do not touch the shrines. Visitors of any faith are usually welcome, as long as they show respect.
These temples are working places of worship, not museums. The rules below help you look around without getting in anyone's way. For more on the area, see our Little India neighbourhood guides.
Which temples you can visit in Little India
Two large Hindu temples stand on Serangoon Road. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is dedicated to the goddess Kali. Further north, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple is dedicated to Vishnu, known here as Perumal. Both have a tall gateway tower, called a gopuram, covered in painted figures.
On Race Course Road you will also find Chinese and Buddhist temples, such as Leong San See Temple. To learn how these temples came to be here, read our history of Little India.
What to wear to a temple
Dress as you would for any place of worship, even on a hot day.
- Cover your shoulders. Choose a top with sleeves rather than a vest or strappy top.
- Cover your knees. Long trousers, a long skirt or a dress below the knee all work.
- Avoid see-through or very tight clothes. Loose, light cotton is cooler anyway.
- Carry a scarf or sarong. It is an easy way to cover up if your outfit is borderline.
If staff ask you to cover up or wait outside, follow their lead politely.
Shoes, feet and hands
Leave your shoes outside
Shoes come off before you step inside a Hindu temple. Look for the shoe racks or rows of footwear near the entrance. Slip-on sandals make this much easier. You may see worshippers washing their feet at a tap before going in.
Mind your feet and hands
Feet are seen as the lowest part of the body. Do not point the soles of your feet at a shrine, a statue or a priest. When you sit on the floor, tuck your feet to the side. Use your right hand to give or receive anything.
How to move around inside
A Hindu temple has a main shrine in the centre and smaller shrines around it. Worshippers often walk around the main shrine in a clockwise direction. If you want to look around, follow the same flow and keep to the edges.
- Do not walk in front of people who are praying. Wait, or go around behind them.
- Do not enter the inner shrine. Only priests go there.
- Do not step over offerings, lamps or flowers on the floor.
- Stand back during a prayer ritual, called a puja, when bells ring and lamps are waved.
A priest may offer you holy ash. You can accept it with your right hand, or smile and step back politely. Either is fine.
Quiet behaviour, photos and what not to touch
Prayers can be loud, with drums and bells, but visitors should keep their voices low. Put your phone on silent.
Things not to touch
- Statues of gods and the shrines themselves
- Offerings of fruit, flowers, milk or coconuts
- Oil lamps and the priest's ritual items
Taking photos
Photo rules differ from temple to temple, so look for signs at the entrance. Some temples do not allow photos of the main shrine. Never use flash, and never photograph people praying without their permission. The painted gopuram makes a fine photo from the pavement.
Chinese and Buddhist temples on Race Course Road
The Chinese and Buddhist temples along Race Course Road follow similar rules. Dress modestly, speak softly and do not touch statues or altars. In some halls you keep your shoes on, and in others you take them off. Follow the signs.
Keep clear of burning joss sticks, which are thin incense sticks, and do not move them. The same habits work at temples in other areas too, such as Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown. Our etiquette and local laws guides cover the wider rules for visitors.
Festivals and busy days
Temples are at their busiest during Hindu festivals. During Deepavali, the festival of lights, Serangoon Road is lit up and the temples are crowded. Thaipusam brings a large procession that starts at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. On these days, arrive early or watch respectfully from the side.
After your visit, the Indian Heritage Centre explains many of the customs you have just seen. Then refuel with our list of dishes to try in Little India.
FAQs about Little India temple etiquette
Can tourists go inside Hindu temples in Little India?
Yes, visitors are generally welcome. Dress modestly, remove your shoes and follow any signs or instructions from temple staff.
Do I need to pay to enter a temple?
Entry is usually free. There are donation boxes if you would like to give, but it is your choice.
Can I wear shorts to a temple in Singapore?
It is best not to. Shorts above the knee may not be accepted, so wear long trousers or a long skirt, or bring a sarong.
Can I take photos inside the temples?
It depends on the temple. Check the signs at the entrance, never use flash and do not photograph worshippers without asking.
