Eight years after the British East India Company founded a trade settlement in Singapore, in 1827, the Sri Mariamman Temple was built. The British originally gave land on Telok Ayer Street for a Hindu Temple along with locations for a Chinese Temple and a Mosque; it wasn't supposed to be there. Given that Telok Ayer lacked a handy source of freshwater for their rituals, the Hindus declined the offer.
South Indian immigrants took it down in 1843 and put something more lasting in its place. The temple quickly turned into a haven for incoming immigrants, who lived there until they found employment and housing. The oldest Hindu temple in Singapore Tour Packages is still Sri Mariamman Temple. To better serve the Hindu population, the temple has now been extended and refurbished. It has grown to a 3-story structure with an auditorium and rooms for cultural events, weddings, meetings, and other functions. And yet, the temple's earliest components still come from the original 1843 building. Its past is still there making it one of the amazing Places To Visit In Singapore.
Architecture
The six-tiered tower over the temple gates at Sri Mariamman Temple is its most distinctive feature. It is colorful and intricately carved. Gopurams, or towers like this one, are fairly common in Dravidian architecture. (The renowned Angkor Wat in Cambodia was modeled after this design.) Every gopura is composed of sandstone, soapstone, or granite, and everyone is meticulously carved with Hindu deities and mythical creatures, albeit not everyone is painted like this one. Every gopuram has a pyramidal shape with a sharp upward taper.
In this temple, there are statues of Murugan and Krishna, two significant Hindu deities. The patron deity of Tamils and the god of battle is Murugan. The same deity is revered at Kuala Lumpur's Batu Caves. There is a sizable golden statue of a god there, and if you travel in February, you can take part in the Thaipusam festival. Krishna is simple to find because he is always a young cowherd lad playing his flute who has blue skin. He is adored by Hindus for being a kind lover, a magnificent warrior, and a teacher.
There are large wooden doors underneath the gopura. Their enormous size is completely intentional, meant to serve as a constant reminder to worshippers of their smallness in the face of the divine. And what about the bell grids on the doors? Ringing them, according to devotees, will bring luck. With vibrant murals all over, including on the roof, the interior of the temple is just as bright as the exterior. The central Mariamman shrine can be found in the main prayer hall. The shrines of two minor deities, Rama and Murugan, lie on either side.
Also Read: How to plan a perfect tour to Turkey
Best Time to Visit
Think of going either in the morning or in the evening. The shrine is packed with visitors at noon. Additionally, keep in mind that you will be going barefoot because the ground physically burns like a fire pit on hot days.
Tips for Visitors
Wash your hands, sprinkle water on your head, and otherwise purify yourself before entering the shrine.
To let the gods know you are here, ring the bells at the entrance. As you do so, think about a desire you'd like to have come true.
Look out for the area where worshipers smash coconuts as a representation of smashing their own egos.
Once inside the temple, move around it an odd number of times in a clockwise motion.
Avoid sitting so that your feet are facing the priests, the Deities, or other people.
Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and displaying excessive displays of affection.
Most importantly, like in any place of worship, keep quiet and show respect to the priests.
Information for Visitors
Being a Activities In Singapore National Monument, Sri Mariamman Temple is owned by Hindu Endowments Board. Visitors are not charged to enter the temple but are charged $3 if they have a camera. But it's worthwhile since you'll have lovely images to bring home. The temple's timings are 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and 18:00 p.m. to 20:45.
