Haji Lane is located within Arab Street Singapore, a lively district that is rich in Islamic history and culture. The Sultan Mosque and Kampong Glam museum welcome travelers whom want to do a bit of sightseeing. Also, it is a gastronomical haven with an authentic spread of mediterranean, Middle East, Malay and India cuisine.
Ethnic shopping.
♥ JY ♥, where we roamed Haji Lane that day.
The shophouses of yesteryears.
The back alley of Bugis street - where buildings used to look like when my parents were young.
Bugis Street would be a great place to get some souvenirs like quirky T-shirts and accessories. It is known as the largest sshopping street in Singapore and is located in front of Bugis MRT Station. Level one is always very packed and crowded, be wary of your personal belongings when you get there.
The “Little Red Dot” at Level 2 (air conditioned) is a platform and place for budding entrepreneurs and local designers to showcase as well as sell their own designs.
The “Little Red Dot” at Level 2 (air conditioned) is a platform and place for budding entrepreneurs and local designers to showcase as well as sell their own designs.
As you walk towards the end of Level one Bugis street, you will get to see Singapore's most popular Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple (观音堂佛祖庙). Thousands of people pray at this temple everyday (The number shoots up if it is Vesak Day or during the Chinese New Year period) and W was rather intrigued by the idea of people holding up their joss sticks and how people ask for guidance to the goddesses inside the temple. I thought it would be very interesting for foreigners to have an insight of Buddhism in Asia.
Mobile stalls selling lotus flowers and chrysanthemums, incense papers & joss sticks to pious followers.
The lotus (Sanskrit and Tibetan padma) is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols and one of the most poignant representations of Buddhist teaching.
The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies pristinely above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.
Though there are other water plants that bloom above the water, it is only the lotus which, owing to the strength of its stem, regularly rises eight to twelve inches above the surface.
According to the Lalitavistara, "the spirit of the best of men is spotless, like the lotus in the muddy water which does not adhere to it."
Every important Buddhist deity is associated in some manner with the lotus, either being seated upon a lotus in full bloom or holding one in their hands. In some images of standing Buddhas, each foot rests on a separate lotus.
There is an indian temple situated right next to Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple where you can step inside for a visit too. If you can afford the time, it will be worth the effort to make a trip to these 2 places.
Nearest MRT Station: Bugis, East-West Line (EW12/DT14), East-West Line & Downtown Line (under construction)
Alight at Bugis MRT Station and walk towards the direction of Park View Square/Raffles Hospital. You would see a row of shophouses. Haji Lane is sandwiched between Arab Street and Bali Lane.
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