Shrines devoted to deities such as Ganesh, Mathurai Veeran, Durga, and Draupadi bounds the main prayer hall. The ceiling and opulent columns are graced with vivid paintings. Photo by Bahnfrend ( CC BY-SA 4.0) modified Sri Mariamman Temple in Singapore - one of the highlights of 17 Best Things to Do in Singapore Chinatown and 21 Best Temples in Singapore (Read all about Singapore here) In fact, Sri Mariamman Temple now stands as a proud representation of rich Hindu culture in Singapore. Managed by the Hindu Endowments Board, the temple has now come a long way and hosts a variety of cultural, educational, and social activities, aside from its religious services. It was declared a National Monument in 1973. Originally erected by Naraina Pillai – an Indian trader from Penang – in 1827, the temple was modified to its present structure in 1862 but has undergone several renovations since.ĭuring the colonial era, the temple was a centre of Hindu communal activities and served as the registry of Hindu marriages, as then being the only authorized temple in the country to formalize Hindu unions. The temple is one of the most prominent places of worship for Tamil Hindus in the country, built to honour Goddess Mariamman – the deity of disease and protection.
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We have a series of Singapore articles here on As We Saw It.Sri Mariamman Temple is the oldest shrine in Singapore.
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Private Full Day Singapore Highlights Tour with Private Vehicle, Lunch and Dinner.
Would you like to have someone show you around Singapore? Here are some tours to consider: It’s worth it though you will come home with beautiful pictures.ĭress: Take off your shoes before entering, and dress conservatively (no shorts, sleeveless shirts, etc.). Sri Mariamman Temple is a Singapore National Monument and is owned by Hindu Endowments Board.Īdmission: Free, or S$3.00 if you have your camera. Sri Mariamman Temple holds an annual fire walking ceremony (timiti) about a week before Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, and it is an impressive sight. If you are in Singapore between mid-October and mid-November, you are welcome to one of the temple’s main festivals. Ⓘ Interesting fact: Two nearby streets got their names because of this temple: Temple Street (for obvious reasons) and Pagoda Street, because of the shape of the temple’s gopura. Anmd yet, the oldest parts of the temple are from the original 1843 structure. It is now a 3-story complex, complete with an auditorium and rooms for weddings, meetings, cultural events, and so forth. However, since then, the temple has been rebuilt and expanded to better serve the Hindu community.
Sri Mariamman Temple remains the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. The temple soon became a refuge for new immigrants, who stayed there till they found work and accommodation. In 1843, South Indian immigrants replaced it with something more substantial. Mariamman is also known for her healing powers in epidemic diseases such as cholera and smallpox, which were rampant in early Singapore’s jungle environment. It was dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, who nourishes and protects all things. The Hindus turned down the offer because Telok Ayer did not have the convenient source of fresh water that Hindus require for their rituals.Īfter the Brits offered this site at South Bridge Road (1823), a treasury clerk, who was the first recorded Indian immigrant to Singapore, built a humble wood and atap hut on the spot. It wasn’t supposed to be there originally the British first offered land in Telok Ayer Street for a Hindu Temple along with sites for a Chinese temple and a mosque. Sri Mariamman Temple dates back to 1827, which was eight years after the British East India Company established a trading settlement in Singapore.