Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in Singapore
Sri
Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple, Singapore
(Chettiars' Temple Society, Singapore)
Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple
73, Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089167
Phone: +65 - 6221 4853
Fax: +65 - 6221 1728
73, Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089167
Phone: +65 - 6221 4853
Fax: +65 - 6221 1728
e-Mail for Admin Related: lsvtemple@singnet.com.sg
Worshipping Hours: 7.30 am to Noon
and 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Welcome to the Home Page of Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple, Singapore
Administered
by Chettiars' Temple Society, Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple is
located in midst of China Town at the junction of Keong Saik Road and Kreta
Ayer Road.
Nagarthars
also called, Nattukkottai Chettiars are famous money lending community
from Southern part of Tamilnadu, India.
Built in 1925
and located in the busy and bustling commercial area of Singapore, the temple
attracts hundreds that includes devotees of all races.
Vinayagar Chathurthi is
the major festival celebrated grandly at the temple. The temple is also part of
the annual ThaiPusam festival. It is the Holy Spear (Holy Vel) that
is in this temple taken in a Silver Chariot procession to Tank Road Sri
Thendayuthapani Temple for the ThaiPusam festival and poured with milk offered
by devotees. Between Thursday to Sunday every week, one can see lot of devotees making 108 Pragarams (Circle around the Sanctum) to fulfill their vow that includes devotees from other races.
The temple has three Vinayagar idols and Holy Spear and its worshippers are well blessed with peace and wealth.
You can read through the History of Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple containing some interesting information about the past history of the temple.
History of Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple
Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar
Temple - Administered by Chettiars' Temple Society, Sri Layan Sithi
Vinayagar Temple is located in center of China Town at the junction of Keong
Saik Road and Kreta Ayer Road. Nagarthars also called, Nattukkottai Chettiars are famous money lending community from Southern part of Tamilnadu, India.
Located in the busy and bustling commercial area of Singapore, the temple attracts hundreds that includes devotees of all races.
This temple that was built in 1925, has a very long history.
Thiru Muthu Palaniappan Chettiar has written in his book about the temple’s history and the Lord Vinayagar being worshipped in the temple.
"A Saivaite from Chidambaram Town (Tamilnadu) Thiru Ponnambala Swamigal came to Singapore as a soldier with the Indian National Army (INA). He was a family man and he brought with him a Vinayagar Idol for his daily worshipping. When he had to return back to India, he did not intend to bring with him the Vinayagar idol. Thus he wished to hand over the vinayagar idol he workshipped to Singapore Nagarathars. Not able to decline Swami’s request the Nagarathars built the temple and installed the vianayagar idol."
The main Sanctum has the following God's
3 Vinayagars
The Holy Spear
Naagar
Rama Naamam
Thiru A. Palaniappan has written in both English and Tamil about the history of this temple in the "Singapore Hindu" magazine (Section 1 Issue 5 1994 January - March).
The excerpt from his article is as follows.
"The temple began near the new mortuary at the General Hospital. To reach the temple from the army quarters a pathway was created. At the end of the First World War the temple had an Atthapu Roof (roof made of metal sheets) with the idols of Lord Vinayagar and Naagar (Snake God). Hospital staff and prison staff from the prison at Outram Road made a huge portion of the worshippers who visited the temple. Thiru Sanniyasi performed daily prayers at the temple. When he has to return to Tamilnadu, he approached the Nagarathars to takeover the temple from him. Not being able to decline Swami’s request at this time the Nagarathars accepted the offer, built the temple and installed the Vinayagar Idol. They also appointed a Pandaram (Priest) to carry out daily poojas."
In 1920, the government acquired the temple land as part of the hospital extension plan and gave a sum of money to the Nagarathars. The Nagarathars then bought the current land and built the temple grandly by spending a huge amount of money. During the construction of the new temple, the Nagarathars found the Vinayagar Idol at the old temple near the hospital in a dilapidated condition. So, they decided to bring a new Black Stone Vinayagar Idol from India.
As per the religious agamas (Procedures), the dilapidated idol was to be immersed at sea. But, few Nagarathars felt that it would be a breach of promise made to Thiru Ponnambala Swamigal.
Hence the Nagarathars decided to install the new Black Stone Vinayagar Idol as the main deity and at the same time the old idol was also installed in front of the main deity at the sanctum. Similarly, the Naagar and "Rama Namam" were also installed in the sanctum next to the Vinayagar. In addition, the Nagarathars also installed a Holy Vel (Holy Spear) symbolising Lord Muruga. This new temple was called "Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple" as it was located at the "Sepoy Line" (army quarters).
After the new temple was built, the Nagarathars started the practice of Silver Chariot Procession adorning Urchavar Sri Thendayuthapani to Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple on the day before Thai Pusam. The procession will start from Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road and go through Market Street, a business spot of the Chettiars and finally reach Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple. This same day evening the Chariot will return back to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple with the Holy Vel and Urchavar Sri Thendayuthapani.
The Nagarathars who were doing pawn broker business at Kittangis (Warehouse shops) had with them idols of several deities for daily worshipping. One Mr. Pichappa Chettiar was well known in the society at that time. He also served as the trustee of Tank Road Sri Thendayuthapani Temple for some time. He donated his Vinayagar idol to the temple when the government acquired the Kittangis that was functioning at Market Street. This idol was also installed as the third Vinayagar idol at the temple’s sanctum.
The Nagarathars conducted the last three consecration ceremony for the temple in 1973, 1989 and 2007. The recent consecration was done in a grand manner on 16.12.2007, Sunday. Nagarathars spent almost S $ 3.5 million in redesigning and renovating the temple.
A beautiful 5 storey Rajagopuram has been added and side walls have been removed to have an open concept inner-pragaram. A multipurpose hall with a seating capacity of around 110 is available for conducting religious and family functions. Although the temple is located at the busy and bustling China Town, the inner-pragaram (the path encircling the main sanctum) is very calm and is suitable for meditation.
Vinayagar Chathurthi is one of the major festivals celebrated grandly at the temple. It is the holy Vel (Holy Spear) that is in this temple been taken in procession to Tank Road Sri Thendayuthapani Temple for the Thai Pusam festival. The milk offered for Lord Muruga on Thai Pusam day is poured on to this Holy Vel.
Special prayers and offerings on Tamil New Year, Deepavali, Thiru Karthigai, Pongal are performed first at this temple before being performed at Sri Thendayuthapani temple. Between thursday to Sunday every week, one can see lot of worshippers making 108 Pragarams to fulfill their owes, that includes devotees from other races. As mentioned above, the temple now has three Vinayagar idols and its worshippers are well blessed with peace and wealth.
Worship of Vinayagar
The First god of HindusHow Vinayagar got his Elephant Head
The Significance of Vinayagar worship
Major Celebrations
The First god of Hindus
Lord Sri Vinayagar, more commonly known as Ganesha, Pillayar (in South India), Ganapathi or Vigneswarar, is the foremost god of the Hindu pantheon. Vinayagar represents knowledge and is considered to be the remover and destroyer of obstacles. Also known as the Elephant god, he is the eldest son of Lord Shiva (Destroyer in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) and his consort, Parvathi (Shakti). His younger brother is Lord Murgan also known as Sri Thendayuthapani.
Hindus look upon the countenance of Vinayagar with great affection. He has the head of an elephant, complete with curved trunk and big ears. As the elephant is the symbol of extreme intelligence, likewise, Vinayagar is the embodiment of wisdom and intelligence. There are four podgy hands joined to human pot-bellied body. One hand holds a trishul or trident, the second an ankush or goad made from his own broken tooth; the third holds a lotus and the fourth a rosary or, a modak or modakam, his favourite sweet. Sometimes, there is a tray of modakam in front of him or held by his trunk.
Vinayagar’s right tusk is broken. The legend is that Vinayagar, as the embodiment of intelligence (Buddhi) and achievement (Siddhi), was approached by sage Vyasa with a prayer to write down the Mahabharatha, even as he composed the hundreds of thousands of its verses. Vyasa recited the verses without a pause and Vinayagar wrote without stopping. However, halfway through the recitation, Vinayagar's stylus broke but he quickly broke off his right tusk and continued writing without stopping.
The Elephant God rides on a Mooshigam Vahanam. Mooshigam means Mouse and Vahanam means a Carrier or a Vehicle that carries a god. The mouse symbolizes the mind of Man, running in different directions, ruled by impulses. Man is also capable of being wise, strong and hardworking like the elephant. Therefore, Man’s goal is to remove the mouse qualities and become more like the elephant. The difference in size between the Elephant God and the tiny mouse also indicates that the divine truth is the same in all, irrespective of size, birth or race. Another meaning is also given to the mouse. The mouse moves everywhere unnoticed and steals or destroys food. Like the mouse, egoism too exists unnoticed in our minds and silently wrecks havoc in our lives.
When controlled by divine wisdom, however, the ego can aid progress.
The first prayer of a Hindu is always to Vinayagar. Vinayagar is invoked at the beginning of all ritualistic worship. The recitation of holy songs begins with the recitation of a Vinayagar mantra or song. He is invoked before a family moves into a house. While there are countless Vinayagar temples, every Hindu temple dedicated to other deities, including the Vaishnavite temple, has a statue of him. Vinayagar is not only worshipped by Hindus, He has a place in many other religions and nations of people, such as the Buddhists and the Jains. His name might not be the same but the figure is similar and so are the ideas that Vinayagar represents - auspiciousness, prosperity, well being and wisdom.
Vinayagar is both the Lord of obstacles as well as the Remover of obstacles. When we do evil things or when the time is not right, He places obstacles in our path. When we take the correct path, He removes the root of our troubles.
Facilities
Multi Purpose HallKnowing the growing needs of Singapore Multi racial society, the temple has constructed a new and beatifully decorated Multipurpose hall which can be used for conducting marriages and other functions. If you need to reserve the hall and know the details on charges,terms and conditions please contact the temple management at 6221 4853.
Centrally located and easily accessible from all parts of Singapor
Special features of the Multi Purpose Hall :
- Fully renovated and Air-Conditioned Multipurpose Hall
- Beautifully decorated Alangara Mandapam
- Seating Capacity of the hall is around 120
- Dining facility at the roof top open terrace
- Temple Priests available for reciting Hindu Religious Mantras
- Temple Religious Music is provided
- Lift facility available
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Festivals at Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple
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Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple celebrates Chaturthi as a major
festival.
There are many forms of
worship .- Offer prayers on the day of Vinayagar Chaturthi
- Circle around Sanctum (Pragaram)
- Offer voluntary service in the temple
- Offer flowers and light lamps
- Fasting
- Participate in Poojas and Yagam
- Offer food or Prashadam (Anna Thaanam)
- Chant Vinayagar Namam
- Offer ‘SahashraNama’ Archanai using Arugam pul (a form of grass)
- Listen to chanting of Vinayagar Namam
- Regular Archanai in devotees or in Deities name (Coconut and Fruit Archanai)
- Sahasranama Archanai
- Ganapathi Homam
Ganapathi Homam
Lord Ganesha removes all obstacles and is also known as ‘Vigneshwara’. Vighnam + Eswara mean the lord who removes all obstacles (Vighnam).
Ganapathy Homam is performed to keep obstacles away and should be performed in the early morning with Poornahuthi offered before sunrise. Before beginning any new venture or invest in a good career performing a Ganapathy Homam is considered auspicious and to bring good luck.
Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple conducts Ganapathi Homam on request from devotees. Interested devotees may approach temple authorities at 6221 4853 for further information and arrangement.
Sahasranama Archanai
To achieve prosperity and wisdom and to attain the eternal bliss from God, we perform Archanai (prayer/pooja) in the temple. The Archanai is chanting the names and glory of God with devotion. When the Archanai contains 108 respected names of God, it is called the ASHTOTHRA SATHAM. When it contains 1008 names, the Archanai is called the SAHASRANANAM. As our resources (time and material) permit, when we do Archanai with love, devotion and concentration, we can fulfill our wishes and obtain the God's grace and bliss.
Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple conducts Sahasranama Archanai on request from devotees. Interested devotees may approach the Temple authorities at 6221 4853 for further information and arrangement.
Chathur Laksha Jeba Homam
Out of many Homams performed for Lord Vinayagar, Chathur Laksha Jeba Homam is a significant one. Chathur Laksha Jeba Homam as mentioned in Hindu Aagama Sasthiram is performed as follows.
- 400,000 Jebam
- 40,000 Homam
- 4,000 Tharpanam
By performing Chathur Laksha Jeba Homam that is closest to Lord Vinayagar, his mystical power gets multiplied. Lord Vinayagar blesses his devotees who perform Chathur Laksha Jeba Homam, in achieving their goals, well-being, peace and prosperity of this universe and fellow human beings.
The term “Chathur Laksha Jeba Preethaya Namaha” is referred in Hindu epics, Vinayagar Sahasranama Archanai and in Chathur Laksha Jeba Homam.
Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple, performs this homam once in a while and hundreds of devotees have participated during the previous occasions.
Prasadam
Prasad in Sanskrit and Prasadam in Tamil is a material substance that is first offered to a deity in Hinduism and consumed. A gracious gift, Prasadam is considered to have the deities blessing residing within it.
Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple has variety of Prasadam available at a nominal fees to devotees. Those who are interested in offering Prasadam to god, are requested to call the temple office at 6221 4853 for more details.
Prasadam's available at Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple is as follows.
Modhagam
Puli Sadham (Tamarind Rice)
Pongal (Dall Rice)
Jaggery Pongal (Sweet Rice)
Curd Rice (Only for 12.00 noon prayers)
Sweet Kesari
Kachan Kadalai (Only for evening prayers)
Puli Sadham (Tamarind Rice)
Pongal (Dall Rice)
Jaggery Pongal (Sweet Rice)
Curd Rice (Only for 12.00 noon prayers)
Sweet Kesari
Kachan Kadalai (Only for evening prayers)
Pooja Timings at Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple
Rituals
performed at Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple every day:
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Timing
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Ritual
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6.30 AM
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Abishegam
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7.30 AM
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Prayer - Kalasanthi Aarathi
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11.45 AM
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Uchi kaala Aarathi
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12.00 noon
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Sanctum Closing
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4.00 PM
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Abisegham
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5.30 PM
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Sayalatchai Aarathi
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8.30 PM
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Sanctum Closing
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Pooja timings
are subjected to change due to various reasons.
Archanai Service
Sri Layan
Sithi Vinayagar Temple provides Archanai service (chanting Manthra)
either in the name of Deity or Devotee. Coconut and Fruit Archanai
services are provided at a cost. After performing the Archanai service,
the priest will give the devotee either a Coconut or a Fruit with blessings
from god.
Upcoming Events at SLSV Temple
February 2014
March 2014
4, Tuesday - Shukla Chaturthi
20, Thursday - Sankatahara Chaturthi
April 2014
About Hinduism
HinduismHinduism, one of the oldest in this world is known more as a way of life than as a religion. It is also the principal faith of the people of India. Hinduism differs from other religions in the fact that it does not have a single founder, a specific theological system, a single system of morality, or a central religious organization. It consists of thousands of different religious groups that have evolved in India since 3000 BC.
Hinduism has grown to become one of the world's largest religions. It claims about 762 million followers - 13% of the world's population. It is the dominant religion in India, Nepal, and among the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Hinduism is referred to as Santana Dharma, the eternal faith. Hinduism is not strictly a religion. It is based on the practice of Dharma, the code of life. Since Hinduism has no founder, anyone who practices Dharma can call himself a Hindu. He can question the authority of any scripture, or even the existence of the Divine.
While religion means to bind, Dharma means to hold. What man holds on to is inner law, which leads from ignorance to Truth. Though reading of the scriptures (shastras) would not directly lead you to self-realization, the teachings of the seers provide a basis and a path for spirituality. Despite being the oldest religion, the truth realized by the seers prove that the Truth and path provided by Hinduism is beyond time.
Sacred texts
Among the most important of all Hindu sacred texts are the Vedas: the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharvana Veda. Rig Veda is the oldest, having been composed about 1500 BC and written down about 600 BC. They contain hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India. Another group of primary texts are the Upanishadas. They are, "a continuation of the Vedic philosophy, and were written between 800 and 400 B.C. They elaborate on how the soul (Atman) can be united with the ultimate truth (Brahman) through contemplation and mediation, as well as the doctrine of Karma - the cumulative effects of a persons' actions." The Mahabharata, were written 540 to 300 BC, and have been attributed to the sage Vyasa. They record "the legends of the Bharatas, one of the Aryan tribal groups." The Bhagavad Gita is the sixth book of the Mahabharata. It is a poem describing a conversation between a warrior Arjuna and the God Krishna. It is an ancient text that has become central to Hinduism and other belief systems. Another important text is the Ramayana. It is "a moving love story with moral and spiritual themes." It is dated to the first century CE and has been attributed to the poet Valmiki. Other texts include the Brahmanas, the Sutras, and the Aranyakas.
Hindu beliefs and practices
Hinduism has commonly been viewed in the west as a polytheistic religion - one that worships multiple deities: gods and goddesses.
Some have viewed it as a monotheistic religion, because it recognizes only one supreme God. The entire universe is seen as one divine entity who is simultaneously at one with the universe and who transcends it as well. Some view Hinduism as Trinitarian because Brahman is simultaneously visualized as a triad:
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Members Standing from Left to Right :
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Mr V Vairavan, Mr Muthuraman Murugan,
Mr Subramanian Narayanan, Mr SinnaNachiappan @
SelvaNachiappan, Mr Arunachalam Subbiah, Mr Vengadasalam S/O
V RM V Vengadasalam.
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Members Sitting from Left to Right :
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Mr Muthia MuMu, Dr Vellayappan S/O Karruppiah,
Mr Vairavan S/O VE.Shanmugam Chettiar, Mr Ramanathan S/O
Ramanathan, Mr Sathappan S/O Sathappa, Mr Veerappan
Alagappan, Mr Subbiah S/O Nachiappa.
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List of Management Committee Members
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Office Bearers
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Name
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Karbar (President)
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Mr Ramanathan S/O Ramanathan
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Deputy Karbar (Deputy President)
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Mr Subbiah S/O Nachiappa
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Secretary
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Mr Vengadasalam S/O V RM V Vengadasalam
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Assistant Secretary
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Mr Arunachalam Subbiah
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Treasurer
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Mr Alagappan S/O N Chettiar
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Assistant Treasurer
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Mr Perichiappa Karuppan Chetty
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Management Committee Members
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Name
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Member
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Mr Periakaruppan S/O PenaRena Veerappan
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Member
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Mr Muthia MuMu
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Member
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Mr Veerappan Alagappan
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Member
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Mr Kannappa Chettiar Kannappan
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Member
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Mr Muthuraman Murugan
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Member
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Dr Vellayappan S/O Karruppiah
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Member
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Mr SinnaNachiappan @ SelvaNachiappan
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Member
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Mr Vairavan S/O VE.Shanmugam Chettiar
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Member
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Mr Sathappan S/O Sathappa
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Member
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Mr V Vairavan
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Member
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Mr Subramanian Narayanan
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Information for Tourists
Chettiars'
Temple Society, Singapore welcomes Tourists and visitors of all races. Guests
are strictly requested to adhere to the following regulations and help devotees
in conducting thier prayers.
- Please remove your shoes before entering the temple
- Do not litter within the temple
- Do not enter into the Sanctum. Only Priests are allowed to enter to Sanctum
- Do not to touch or go near the deities in the temple
- Please dress modestly and obscene dressing is prohibed with in the whole temple premises
- If you wish you could offer money in the donation box situated within the temple
- You are allowed to take photographs inside the temple and the statues on the pillars
- Do not disturb devotees
- It will be appreciable if you could maintain silence all the time when you are inside the temple
- No Smoking with in temple premises
Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple
73, Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089167
Phone: +65 - 6221 4853
Fax: +65 - 6221 1728
73, Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089167
Phone: +65 - 6221 4853
Fax: +65 - 6221 1728
e-Mail for Admin Related: lsvtemple@singnet.com.sg
Contact Us
Postal Address
Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar
Temple
73, Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089167
Phone: +65 - 6221 4853
Fax: +65 - 6221 1728
73, Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089167
Phone: +65 - 6221 4853
Fax: +65 - 6221 1728
e-Mail for Admin Related: lsvtemple@singnet.com.sg
e-Mail for Web Feedback: sttemple_sg@yahoo.com
BY MRT : 5 minutes walk from Outram Park MRT Station
By BUS : 54, 124, 143, 147, 166
From Jalan Besar, Hougang Central : 147
From Clementi Interchange : 147, 166
From River Valley Road : 54
From St Michaels Ter, Scotts Road, Orchard Road : 124
Om
Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist
guide for the collection )
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