Description

Essentials about the Sri Mariamman Temple in brief

The Sri Mariamman Temple in the Chinatown district is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore and certainly one of the most worth seeing due to its incredibly detailed facade design and interior decoration. The temple is named after the goddess Mariamman, a mother goddess revered in southern India and northern Sri Lanka, who is known for her ability to heal diseases.

The history of the Sri Mariamman Temple

Historically, the Sri Mariamman Temple dates back to 1827 when, at the instigation of the government official Naraina Pillai, a first simple temple building made of wood and a roof of palm leaves was erected by immigrants from southern India. In the mid-19th century, the temple was finally rebuilt of masonry bricks and remodeled several times over the decades. Following Hindu tradition, temples are renovated and rededicated every 12 years.

Besides worship services, the temple was also an important place for community activities during the colonial period. The only registry office for Hindus was located here – at that time, only Sri Mariamman Temple was authorized to perform marriages among Hindus.

The building of the Sri Mariamman Temple

Anyone approaching the temple is literally “blown away” by the richness of detail of its facades. Especially the majestic Gopuram (the entrance to the great tower), whose six floors are overflowing with sculptures of deities, mythological beasts and other creatures, is a special sight not only for Hindus.

The festival of firewalking

If you travel to Singapore in October or November, you should definitely visit the Sri Marimman Temple. This is because every year during this time the Theemithi takes place, the Hindu festival of firewalking, which is associated with a wide variety of rituals, including a barefoot run over glowing coals.

Website

smt.org.sg

Opening hours

Admission fees

None.

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

MRT lines Downtown and North East: Stop Chinatown

Bus lines 51, 63, 124, 174, 174e, 186, 851, 851e, 961, 961C and 970: Stop Opp Hong Lim Cplx

By car:

There is a parking lot in the immediate vicinity of the temple.