Fernloft Little India is the biggest outlet in our chain of value and friendly Fernloft Hostels! 

Like all Fernloft Hostels, it boasts our 6C characteristics of being comfortable, clean, convenient, cheap, caring and with loads of character.   Fernloft Little India adds another C in that it is situated right in the heart of bustling Indian culture.  Step into a real Indian experience when you stay at Fernloft Little India! 

Fernloft Little India also boasts the usual Fernloft amenities, comfortable beds with thick mattresses and facilities like a self-service cooking pantry, extremely clean toilets, a security access card, electrical power points and free use of laundry and ironing facilities.

FROM MODERNITY TO ETHNICITY

Fernloft Little India is near the city centre and yet culturally unique in its own right. Step back from modernity into Indian ethnicity within minutes when you stay at Little India. Replete with street side vendors selling traditional India desserts to traditional flower garlands, Indian saris and stores selling tonnes of intricate gold jewellery, Indian culture greets you with your first step into the district. Under the Raffles Plan of Singapore, where the various races were segregated by the British in their management of early colonial Singapore, immigrant Indians were first settled in the Chulia Kampong District. However, as Chulia Kampong became more crowded and competition for land escalated, many of the Indians moved into what is now known as Little India. The Chulia Kampong district no longer exists as a distinct area. It is reported that the Little India area developed around a former settlement for Indian convicts. Livestock trading was once prominent in the area and since the district runs along the Serangoon River, it was initially attractive for raising cattle. Eventually, by the time livestock trading ceased to exist in Singapore and other businesses had established themselves in the area, the enclave started to look like the Little India it is today. If you wish to eat or buy something specific to Indian culture, such as curry or Indian clothing, you must visit Little India.

FOOD

When you stay in Little India, of course, you must sample the different types of Indian cuisine! From North Indian spices to South Indian naan (flattened baked bread) to the ultra-sweet and coconut coated Indian desserts. You will have a wide choice of Indian cuisine at your doorstep, ranging from street side stalls to ambience-filled Indian restaurants. The best part is that because they cater mainly to the locals, prices are reasonably priced, even in the restaurants. Indian foods use lots of spices like cardamom and aniseed, and is also influenced strongly by vegetarianism. As the cow is a sacred animal in India, do not expect to find beef in your dishes!

For desserts, try the Gulab Jamun, a favourite among the locals, not only Indians. Gulab Jamun consists of fried dough balls in a sweet syrup. Should Indian food not suit your palate, you may always wander into the nearby Rochor or Lavender districts where you will find Chinese and Buddhist-inspired cuisine, and local hawker centres that serve tasty local delights.

CULTURALLY INTERESTING PLACES IN LITTLE INDIA

There are several Hindu temples, mosques, and other places of worship in the Little India neighbourhood. These include the Foochow Methodist Church, Kampong Kapor Methodist Church, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Angullia Mosque, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, Jalan Mosque, the Central Sikh Gurdwara and more.

One of the more interesting mosques, the Abdul Gafoor Mosque, features Arabian- and Renaissance-style architecture. It was built in 1859 and named after a South Indian lawyer's clerk. Its prayer hall is decorated with Moorish arch-work and displays a tableau featuring the history of the Islamic religion.

Along Serangoon Road, you may choose to visit the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple which was built in 1855 and features a high gopuram (tower), and the Buddhist Sakyamuni Buddha Gaya Temple, which was originally established by Thai monk Vuthisasara in 1927. There is also the Leong San See Temple which is dedicated to Guanyin, the Chinese Boddhisattva of Mercy.

SHOPPING IN LITTLE INDIA

Serangoon Road is the main commercial thoroughfare in Little India. Along Serangoon Road is the Tekka Centre, the Tekka Mall, the Little India Arcade, Serangoon Plaza, and the Mustafa Centre.

Mustafa Centre is Singapore's only 24-hour shopping mall, which is located on Syed Alwi Road, towards the tail end of Little India. Here, you may find the Mustafa department store, which caters mainly to the budget market and is abundantly stocked with all sorts of products from fashion to jewellery to electronics, footware, CDs, watches and spices! Mustafa boasts more than 150,000 types of merchandise!

It is located within walking distance from the Farrer Park MRT Station (NE8) on the North East Line.

Mustafa was founded by Indian businessman Mustaq Ahmad in 1971, who at first sold mainly clothing. In 1985, Mustaq moved his business to the ground floor of Serangoon Plaza and as his business thrived, he bought over a shophouse on Syed Alwi Road and then the neighbouring units. Eventually, Mustaq decided to build a new shopping mall to house his business. In April 1995, the 6-storey Mustafa Centre was completed.

Besides shopping in the air-conditioned Mustafa Centre, the streets are lined with retailers selling cheap and bright trinkets, colourful saris, bags, Indian slippers and we guarantee you will be overwhelmed by the many little stores you will find here … Little India is a great place to shop for unique and inexpensive souvenirs!

THE FERNLOFT EXPERIENCE
For a cultural immersion that is terrifically unique, stay at Fernloft Little India and soak in ethnicity.

At Fernloft Group of Hostels, we also offer free inter-hostel transfers (subject to availability) that gives you the choice to stay at our various branches and experience the different cultural uniqueness that comes from each Fernloft location.

If you do not like your stay at our Little India branch for whatsoever reason, we will transfer you to another Fernloft hostel in a different locale for the remainder of your stay at no extra charge.

Whatever we may say, don’t take our word for it, experience it yourself!

Such convenience and value - only at Fernloft Hostels, where the experiences become cherished memories.