Ramadan is a month of sombre remorse for Muslims. During this time, Muslims worship, do good deeds, and fast from morning to evening for about 30 days. At the end of Ramadan, Singaporeans celebrate Eid, also called Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Puasa. The date for Hari Raya changes every year as it is based on the lunar calendar.
Hari Raya, which in Malay means “great day of joy”, is a big Muslim holiday in Singapore. It honours those who have fasted during Ramadan and symbolizes spiritual rebirth. It is also a time for making up for wrongdoings. Children often ask their parents for forgiveness if they have done anything wrong throughout the year.
What Happens During Hari Raya?
Many Muslims start the day by going mosque to pray and do other things. After this, they ask for forgiveness from their elders.
On the twentieth day of Ramadan, people light oil lamps in their homes and mosques, which stay lit until the end of the holiday. In preparation for Hari Raya 2023, many people buy new clothes, and clean and decorate their homes. Men usually wear the Baju Melayu with Kain Samping, while women wear the Baju Kurung. Families often wear the same colour in solidarity with each other.
At sunrise on Hari Raya, Muslims start their day in mosques. Friends and family get together in the afternoon for a meal and ask each other for forgiveness and blessings. The children are given money in green envelopes called “Duit Raya”. Lunch includes traditional delicacies like Beef Rendang, Satay, Sambal Sotong, Ketupat, and Lontong. Dessert includes Lemang, cookies, cakes, biscuits, sweets, and pineapple tarts. In the evening, everyone says the Takbir.
“Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri” is the usual way to say “Happy Hari Raya,” which means “to have a nice holiday.”
Must try things during Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Hari Raya Puasa is one of Singapore’s two major Islamic public holidays. About a month before the holiday, Geylang Serai becomes the epicentre of Hari Raya Puasa celebrations. The Hari Raya Light-Up celebration attendees will be mesmerised by the stunning light displays and various cultural performances.
Hari Raya Puasa, the holy month is a time of celebration and festivities leading up to the festival of Eid or Hari Raya Aidilfitri. There are plenty of places and markets to visit during Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa. Here are some of the must-try specialties you should check out during this festival.
Try Delicious Food
If you’re fortunate enough to be invited to a Hari Raya Aidilfitri lunch, a variety of foods will be served. These include sayur lodeh (vegetables cooked in coconut milk sauce), beef rendang (braised meat cooked in coconut milk and spices), and sambal (hot chili paste), along with fluffy white rice and ketupat (rice cakes). Irrespective if you get an invitation or not, you must visit authentic restaurants on Chiat Road.
The desserts, especially the kueh, are equally fantastic. Try the delectable putu piring or ondeh-ondeh as well. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is the start of the delicious scrumptious season in Singapore, so book bus online tickets from your city to Singapore to enjoy the delicious flavors of this festival.
Check Out the Geylang Serai’s Ramadan bazaar
In Singapore, Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri are synonymous with Geylang Serai Bazaar at this time. It provides both the answer to where to go throughout the Ramadan month and the answer to where to go during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Geylang Sarai bazaar is the place to go during the holiday if you enjoy taking leisurely strolls while breaking your fast and looking for local foods and shopping. This is also the place to visit if you enjoy shopping for clothing and home goods. A sea of vibrant lights at Geylang Serai and other celebrations both in-person and online are expected to mesmerize visitors. You must visit Singapore atleast once during Hari Raya to witness the frenzy of this grand Bazaar this year. To reach Singapore, simply book your bus ticket online well in advance to avoid any last minute delays.
In 2023, from 17th March to 22nd April, travellers can stop by Geylang Serai and take in the festive illuminations in anticipation of Hari Raya. This year there will be about 700 stalls. The theme will be Raya Gemilang, meaning ‘glorious feast’, featuring 2 concept zones. The first is Souq City, with hawking food, drinks and retail items. Community shelves will be setup in Souq City, where you can leave halal food and clothes for the needy and poor. Make sure you get your share of Ramadan Kebab, satays, and the ever-popular Ramly burgers here.
The Street Bazaar is the second concept with interactive art installations. This part of the bazaar will stretch from Geylang Serai Market to the area beside Tanjong Katong Complex.
You can reach this market taking a bus to Eunos MRT (EW7).
Opening Hours – The Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar will be up and running from 17 Mar to 21 Apr 2023 from 10 am to 11.59 pm daily and extended to 6 am on Hari Raya.
Visit the Kampong Gelam Bazaar
The famed Kampong Glam bazaar which has been alive during Hari Raya since the 1960’s will be open from 15th March to 16th April this year. There will be 86 food stalls, 23 retail booths with aerial light show and entertainment. Head out to Kandahar Street, Baghdad street for the celebrations. You must try the special delicacies sold in the bazaar.
There will be a mass Iftar on Arab street on April 1. You can also participate in the charity drive at 45 Sultan Gate and help contribute for the less fortunate this Hari Raya.
This Bazaar is reachable via bus and the bus stop closest to Kampong Gelam Bazaar is Bugis MRT (EW12/DT14).
Visit Religious Places
Singapore boasts several large mosques. You can worship here during Hari Raya Aidilfitri with your loved ones. If you’re celebrating Hari Raya for the first time in Singapore, you can offer your prayers in expansive mosques like Abdul Gafoor Mosque.
The Sultan Mosque or Masjid Sultan is an opulent and iconic place of worship in Kampong Gelam. This is the most important mosque in Singapore. A lot of locals observe the Ramadan rites for breaking the fast here. Malay culture is developed in this neighborhood. It has Arab Street and North Bridge Road as its main thoroughfares. You will also find a lot of affordable clothing shops and eateries in this neighborhood as well.
Read more about Spiritual Experiences in Singapore
How to Travel to Singapore for Hari Raya Aidilfitri?
If you are looking to travel to Singapore for Hari Raya Aidilfitri to Singapore, check out the redBus app or website. redBus is one of the leading travel booking platforms. It helps you book bus online tickets with ease. Moreover, redBus has reputed bus operators listed on the platform such as KKKL Travel & Tours Pte Ltd, Five Stars Travel, and StarMart Express. Its user interface is extremely easy to navigate. This makes it much more convenient to book bus online tickets.
For example, let’s say you are someone from Kuala Lumpur. To book your bus tickets to Singapore during Hari Raya Aidilfitri, just log onto the redBus app or website. Put in your source and destination. All the available options will be displayed on your screen. You can select the number of seats and your preference. Make the payment to confirm your ticket. Also, you book a return ticket bus to Kuala Lumpur. So, book your bus ticket today. And, don’t miss out on the iconic celebrations of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Skip the crowd at the counter, and go for redBus!
Choose from hundreds of bus routes and bus operators on redBus to book a bus from Singapore to any major routes. When you book your online bus ticket with us, you can take advantage of our fantastic cashback and discount deals as well. You can book bus tickets online from the convenience of your home by using the redBus app or website. Take advantage of the special discounts and deals available and book your tickets now!
Wishing everyone Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.