Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in Singapore
Sri Manmatha Karuneshvarar Temple, Singapore
Sri Manmatha Karuneshvarar Temple (Tamil: ஸ்ரீ மன்மத
கருநேஸ்வரர் கோவில்) or Sivan Temple is a Hindu
temple
for Sri Manmatha Karuneshvarar Sivan or Shiva as the presiding
deity located on Kallang Road
in Singapore.
History
The temple was established on 1 January 1888 on a lease from the Governor of the Straits Settlements for the Tamil community as a place of worship, this temple is known to its devotees as the Kallang Gasworks Sivan Temple. It was established soon after the Municipal Gasworks of depot was set up in Kallang Road. The large number of Hindu employees started a shrine and installed the main deity to seek its protection as well as to sustain their Hindu traditions and values.In 1909, the site, an area of 8,255 square feet (766.9 m2), was granted on government lease for 99 years made in favour of four persons; Soona Veloo Vendir, Nagalingam Kathiraysonm, Annamalai Mecppa Komarasamy and Veerapatra Mudaliar. In 1934, after their death, the sons of A.V. Irullappa Pillay, V. Pakirisamy Pillai and V. Narayanasamy Pillai funded the reconstruction of the temple in memory of their late father at the request of the Hindu devotees. Although the lease was renewed in 1909, the plan to build a concrete mandapam (main hall) ran into financial difficulties. In March 1937, three trustees were appointed by the Chief Justice of Singapore; they were V. Pakrisamy, V. Narayanasamy and Balakrishna Murugase Thirunalam. After the consecration ceremony on 19 August 1937, a Committee of Management was formed with A.V. Irullappa Pillay, a foreman of the Municipal Gas Works, as chairman.
Further renovations were carried out in 1974 and the sons of V. Parkirisamy and grandsons of V. Narayanasamy are now managing the Temple.
Though there were not many Hindus in Kallang and Kampong Bugis, the Hindu employees of the Gas Depot had living quarters close to the Depot and so they built the shrine. At that time Indians were concentrated in Tanjong Pagar and Serangoon area.
Lord Siva is the destroyer while his consort, Parvati, is looked upon as an almighty Mother figure that pleads to Lord Siva on the behalf of mankind and creatures. However, even though he represents destruction, Lord Siva is viewed as a positive force or even the Destroyer of Evil, since creation follows destruction. Lord Siva has five jobs creator, preserver, destroyer, hiding the sins and blessing.
Sri Siva Durga Temple, Singapore
Sri Siva Durga Temple (Tamil: ஸ்ரீ சிவா
துர்கா கோவில்) is a temple for the god Shiva and Durga who are the
presiding deities.
In 1980 the Temple site was
acquired by HDB thus again this Temple
was required to be shifted. In 1982 this Temple
was relocated to the present Potong Pasir site and preparations were made to
make the foundations to construct the temple in 1985. In 1987, sculptors,
architects and various skilled workers were brought from India to
construct this temple and the Maha Kumbabishegam was held on 21-1-1991.
Following this, seeing the need to construct at Kodi Maram (Flag
staff) and the sanctums for the various deities and because of the request of
all the devotees who had been attending this Temple for prayers the neccessary
arrangement were made and the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony was held on
1-5-1996. Upon completion of all the necessary works the Maha Kumbabishegam was
held grandly on 17-11-1996. The name of the temple, Sri
Sivan Temple,
was changed to "Sri
Sivadurga Temple"
on 28-05-2001.
Poojas Performed at SivaDurga Temple everyday:
6:30 AM - Thiruvanathal
9:00 AM - Kalashandhi
3:00 PM - Rahu Kala Pooja (Tuesdays only)
5:30 PM - Rahu Kala Pooja (Sundays only)
6:30 PM - Sayalatchai
9:30 PM - Arthasamam
Social activities
The temple complex holds activities such as social, educational and cultural activities. Many pujas and homams are performed on a scheduled basis.Services offered by the temple include
Indoor services like Satya Sai Baba Bajans
Yoga and Thirumurai Thevaram classes
Scholarship and Awards
Sri Darma Muneeswaran Temple, Singapore
This temple has been in existence at the present site for more than a century.
Inside the temple is a statue of Dharma Muneeswaran (a form of Shiva) and his consorts Vinayaka, Murugan, and Mariyamman. There are also small statues of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman. The temple boasts the largest statue of Nāga in South East Asia. Hindus offer prayers and special pujas for the Kala Sarpa Dosha avoidance. The Navagraha sanctum is just behind the Naga statue.
The temple has completed its 12 year cycle of redevelopment and refurbishment works and the Maha Kumbabishegam (Consecration Ceremony) of the Temple and its Deities has been fixed for May 1st 2013.
Sri Sivan Temple, Singapore
Sri Sivan Temple (Tamil: ஸ்ரீ சிவன்
கோவில்)
is a Hindu temple for the god Shiva who is the presiding
deity. The temple was originally located in Potong Pasir
from where it was moved three more times before finally coming to the present Geylang
location.
History
Sri Sivan Temple was originally present in Potong Pasir. The Sivalinga was moved to a spot in the lower end of Dhoby Ghaut, then to a site near where MacDonald House stands today, and then on to the Orchard Road site where it used to be until 1983. The temple was rebuilt as a solid structure in the early 1850s at the Orchard Road site under which the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station is located. The Sivalinga was known to be worshiped at this site well before 1850.In 1898, a further phase of the recorded development of the Sri Sivan Temple began. The reconstruction work took several years to complete. One Mr V Nagappa Chetty and his wife were responsible for this, largely with their own funds and from donations collected from local Hindus.
During the Second World War, some of the statues of secondary deities and a part of the temple structure were damaged by shells that landed around it. Towards the end of the war, renovations were made to the temple and a consecration ceremony was held in July 1943. In 1954, the Municipal Commissioners wanted the temple to be setback 14 feet (4.3 m) from the road to widen Orchard Road. After long drawn discussions, a compromise was reached between the Board and the City Council. In consideration of the temple giving up 490 square feet (46 m2) of the front land, the temple was given $50,000 and allowed to be rebuilt at the same site. Plans to rebuild the temple were drawn up in 1957. Local contractors completed the construction works in April 1962 and skilled craftsmen from India carried out the sculptural and ornamental works. The consecration ceremony was held on December 9, 1964.
Serangoon Premises
In 1983, the Government decided to acquire the land on which the temple stood. An MRT station was to be built underground. Therefore, a transit temple was built next to the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road while a more suitable and permanent site was being identified. The temple was demolished and all its deities where temporarily shifted to a new site at Serangoon Road. All the god-forms from the Orchard Road Temple were installed in the new site at Serangoon Road which allowed for all daily prayers and festivals celebrated to be continued.Geylang Premises
The Hindu Endowments Board had intended to make the new temple unique in appearance, features and facilities. The Board and the management committee of the temple consulted well-known temple architects in India. The Board sent a team to study the best of both the North and South Indian Temples. What followed was a unique design with an octagonal structure with a multi-purpose hall and staff quarters. The new temple was built at a cost of $6 million on a 3,000 sq. meter plot at Geylang East. The new site is about four-and-a-half times bigger than the temple's former site at Orchard Road.After ten years of temporary residence at Serangoon Road, the Sri Sivan Temple was consecrated at its present Geylang East site on May 30, 1993.
Management Committee
An order placing Sri Sivan Temple under the Mohammedan and Hindu Endowments Board (set up in 1907) was gazetted on October 18, 1915. In 1968, the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) was formed to manage four temples including the Sri Sivan Temple. The Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) under the purview of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) manages Sri Sivan Temple.Social activities
Several major festivals are celebrated at Sri Sivan Temple.- Maha Shivaratri
- Vasantha Navratri
- Guru Peryarchi
- Navratri
- Skantha Shasti
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Singapore
The area around the Perumal Temple was once filled with ponds and vegetable gardens. A stream used to lead into the temple and was an important source for devotees to ritually cleanse themselves before beginning worship. Inside the temple's inner courtyard, a well marks the spot where the stream used to flow. There is also a Tulasi(thulassi) (basil plant), the Hindus' symbolic holy bush.
Inside the temple you will find a statue of Perumal, or Vishnu, his consorts Lakshmi and Andal, and his bird-mount, Garuda. Perumal Temple is at the centre of the Hindu trinity made up of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. The temple is dedicated to Krishna, one of the incarnations of Vishnu. Perumal is another name for Krishna and statues of him - coloured blue to signify blue-blood - are everywhere in the temple. There are also statues, Lakshmi and Andal, the goddesses of wealth and beauty respectively, and of his mount, the mythical Garuda bird. The temple ceiling is dominated by a colourful circular pattern depicting the nine planets of the universe.
This temple is the starting point for devotees during the annual Thaipusam festival. Devotees, their tongues and cheeks pierced by great metal skewers supporting kavadi (cage-like constructions decorated with wire and peacock feathers), make their way to the Chettiar Hindu Temple on Tank Road in this colourful procession. This is done in gratitude or supplication to Lord Murugan.
It was gazetted as a national monument in 1978.
Sri Siva Krishna Temple, Singapore
Sri Siva Krishna Temple (Tamil: ஸ்ரீ சிவா
கிருஷ்ணா கோவில்) is a temple for the god Shiva who is the presiding
deity. The temple also has many other deities.
History
One Mr. Kunjukrishnan cleared a small piece of land at 832, Sembawang Road in 1962, placed several shrines / deities and started praying. Taxi drivers congregated in the area for relaxation. After the death of Mr. Kunjukrishnan, Mr. Velayutham further cleared the area and brought in more deities. As the time passed by, the Temple was named “Sri Siva-Krishna Temple”. With more and more devotees and revenue coming to the Temple, it was suggested that the surroundings of the Temple be kept clean so as to give the Temple a dignified look.In 1982, the Temple was shifted to the present site at Marsiling Rise. The land area is about 25000 Square feet. Various committess took care of the temple from 1982 to 1987. In 1987, a new committee took charge of the temple and immediately performed the ground breaking ceremony. On Wednesday, 9 December 1987, “Shanku Sthapanam” ceremony was held and then actual construction of the temple followed. The first consecration ceremony of the temple took place on 1 September 1996. The second consecration ceremony of the temple took place on 23 March 2008.
Temple deities
The deities of the temple include the following- Sri Vinayagar,
- Sri Siva-Krishnar (Main Deity),
- Sri Murugan, Sri Durga,
- Sri Lakshmi and Sri Saraswathi,
- Sri Ramar, Sri Seethai and Sri Lakshmanar,
- Sri Anjaneyar,
- Sri Iyappan,
- Sri Mariamman,
- Sri Periyachi,
- Sri Idumbar,
- Sri Nagamma,
- Sri Dakshinamurthy,
- Sri Viswanathar and Visalakshi,
- Sri Nandheeswarar,
- Sri Karuppar,
- Sri Muneeswarar,
- Sri Madurai Veeran,
- Sri Bairavar,
- Sri Chandikeswarar and
- Navagrahas
Social activities
The Temple complex holds activities such as social, educational and cultural activities. Many pujas and homams are performed on a scheduled basis.Services offered by the temple include
- Indoor services
- Outdoor services
- Kitches services
- Wedding ceremonies, etc
Shree Lakshminarayan Temple, Singapore
Before 1960, the North Indians had no special place of worship and used to worship at the North Indian Hindu Association at Cuff Road.
In 1960s, several residential units were purchased by the North Indian community and converted into the Shree Lakshminarayan Temple. Shree Lakshminarayan Temple was declared open on Thursday 24th April 1969. The temple is sanctuary of the spiritual values and culture of Sanatan Darm and Vedic Hindu tradition. It is a place of faith, devotion, worship, love, peace and harmony.
The temple has constantly been upgrading its facilities and services to serve the devotees better. Devotees now have a better and comfortable place for worship. Over the years the role of our temple has changed. Today the temple is not only the place of worship, but it has become an important focal point for the Hindu community to meet and interact. It fulfils the spiritual as well as the cultural needs of the society and fosters positive social values.
The SLN Management Committee had its meeting on the 17 March 2013.
The Committee unanimously resolved to end the Contract of Pandit
Bajrang Bhali Shukla. Shuklaji will leave Singapore on the 25 March 2013 via
Air India flight at 9am. The Temple will be organising a farewell programme for
Panditji who was our Chief Priest. The event will be held on Sunday 24 March
2013 from 1030am onwards.
Daily Programme
06.00 am Temple opens to public
06.40 am Morning prayers and Aarti
12.00 pm Temple closes for the Afternoon
04.00 pm Temple opens for Prayer
06.40 pm Evening Aarti
07.00 pm Onwards - Ramayan or Bhagavad Gyan by Temple Priest
09.30 pm Temple Closes
Every Sunday
08.00 am Prayers and Haven by temple priest
11.00 am - Bhajans by Temple Devotees
12.00 pm - Parbachan / Discourse
12.30 pm - Aketaggan
12.35 pm - Aarti, Followed by Prasad & Preeti Bhoj
02.00 pm - Religious Video Show
Every Tuesday
02.30 pm - 5.00 pm Mahila Satsang Bhajans / Parbachan (Hindi)
Every Saturday
7.00 pm - 9.00 pm - Bhajans & Bhagavad Gita Discourse
Purnima Celebrations (Full Moon)
07.00 pm - Bhajans
07.30 pm - Parbachan / Purnima Katha followed by Aarti & Prasad
Other Temples in Singapore
Ganesh temples
- Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple, 78 Keong Siak Road, Singapore 089167
Kali temples
- Sree Maha Mariamman Temple, 251 Yishun Avenue 3, Singapore 769061
- Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple, Toa Payoh
Krishna temples
- Sri Krishna Bagawan Temple, 152 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187961
- Sri Krishna Mandir, 9 Lorong 29 Geylang, Singapore 388065
Murugan temples
Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnana Muneeswaran Temple, 50 Rivervale Cres
Sengkang, Singapore 545029
Sri Bala Subramaniam Temple
Sri Murugan Hill Temple,
Bukit Timah Road, Post Box No. 0296, Singapore 9158
Sri Murugan Temple Toa Payoh
Shiva temples
- Sri Arasakesari Sivan Temple, 1140 Woodlands Road, Singapore 219528
Others
- Geetha Ashram
- Narayana Gurukula
- Parniyo, ancient temple in an island near Singapore, cave temple
- Siddhartha Temple
- Singapore Dakshina Bharata Brahmana Sabha
- Sree Guru Raghavendra Seva Samajam
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
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