{"id":666716,"date":"2022-02-06T14:16:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-06T11:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=666716"},"modified":"2022-01-31T07:50:01","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T04:50:01","slug":"sri-mariamman-hindu-temple-in-singapore-history-photo-description-how-to-get-there-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/sri-mariamman-hindu-temple-in-singapore-history-photo-description-how-to-get-there-map\/","title":{"rendered":"Sri Mariamman Hindu temple in Singapore – history, photo, description, how to get there, map"},"content":{"rendered":"

Singapore is an amazing city<\/a>-state that annually attracts thousa<\/a>nds of sea<\/a>soned tour<\/a>ists who appreciate the exotic culture of Asia and are hungry for unusual entertainment<\/a>. In one of the largest districts of the city<\/a> – Chinatown, which amazes with its frantic rhythm and a string of various cafes and hostels – the oldest Singaporean Hindu temple<\/a> Sri Mariamman is comfortably located<\/a>. This majestic and very colorful building is rightfully considered one of the main historical attractions<\/a> of Singapore.<\/p>\n

Story<\/h2>\n

It is well known that Singapore was a British colony for a long time. However, following the ubiquitous British, in 1819 the Indians under the leadership of Narayna Pillai decided to master the local lands. This prominent official quickly earned the respect of the Indian community by organizing a construction company and textile trade on the island<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Since ancient times, the inhabitants of India have been famous for<\/a> their strict adherence to religious rites, and therefore Naraina decided to build a Hindu temple on Singapore land. Finding a suitable site was not easy. The site, originally proposed by the British authorities, was completely unsuitable, since it did not have any source of fresh water, which is abundantly used in religious rituals.<\/p>\n

Suitable land was obtained only in 1823, and the construction itself took about four years. The first building was made entirely of wood, and a statue<\/a> of Mariamman, the mother goddess, was immediately installed in front of the entrance, especially revered by ordinary peasants. This statue has been safely preserved to this day. What can not be said about a wooden building – it was successfully replaced with a brick one in the early forties of the nineteenth century.<\/p>\n

However, those part<\/a>s of the building that have survived to the present were erected closer to the sixties. The first gopuram – the gate tower, inherent in all Hindu temples, was built in 1903. Then it consisted of three levels, but after twelve years the gopuram was rebuilt, adding three more, and it is in this form that it has reached our days.<\/p>\n

\"Sri<\/a><\/p>\n

For a long time, Tamil immigrants (the people of South<\/a> Asia, most of whom live in India) were accepted on the territory of the temple. They were in Sri Mariamman while they settled on the new land, looking for suitable housing and work. At the same time, no one has ever kicked them out or driven them, giving them time to adapt to a new life. In addition, only this temple had the right to conduct marriage ceremonies, and oaths of love and fidelity often sounded within its walls. In our time, Shri Mariamman is also active.<\/p>\n

Description<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"Sri<\/a><\/p>\n

Even if you do not know the exact address<\/a>, walking<\/a> around China<\/a>town, you are unlikely to miss Sri Mariamman. Its facade is richly decorated with figurines of Indian gods, which are compactly located on the six tiers of the gopuram. The interior of the holy place is in no way inferior to the outside<\/a>. The spacious room is decorated with white columns, and the walls are skillfully painted with colorful images of divine beings and plots of the most ancient religion. Behind the column rises the main altar. Of course, the main sanctuary is dedicated to Mariamman, but other divine creatures are not deprived of attention.<\/p>\n

\"Sri<\/a><\/p>\n

Along the perimeter of the main hall are the holy places of the following gods: Ganesha (the patron of prosperity and wisdom), Durga (a powerful warrior who protects both the gods and ordinary people from demons), Iravan (the hero of the ancient Indian epic, deeply revered in the Kuttantavar tradition) and Draupadi (the earthly incar<\/a>nation consort of Vishnu). The sanctuary of the latter is the second most important in the temple. To the left of Draupadi are five Pandavas – the protagonists of the Mahabharata (tales about the descendants of Bhavata – the legendary king). Also in the temple are lined sculptures of yoni, a symbol of the feminine and lingam, the embodiment of the divine power of creation. Equally important is the flagpole installed at the entrance. When some kind of celebration or religious ritual is coming, a warning banner is raised on it.<\/p>\n

Unspeakably lucky those tourists<\/a> who will be in Singapore in October<\/a>. It is in the tenth month of the year that a large-scale holiday<\/a> is held – Timiti. This is the time to give praise and honor to Draupadi, who, according to ancient Indian legends<\/a>, walked barefoot on hot coals, thus proving her integrity. Every year, hundreds of Hindus come to the temple and try to repeat the feat of Draupadi, thereby atoning for their sins. The spectacle is so impressive that thousands of people come to see it.<\/p>\n

An amazing procession precedes the purification ritual: hundreds of people follow the priest from the neighboring temple of Sri Sri Nivasa Perumal to Sri Mariamman. It is the clergyman who first crosses the pit filled with coals, and the faithful are already following him. Hinduism suggests that if a person regularly observed fasts and did not sin, fire would not harm him. It is important to note that only men are allowed to pass the fiery path.<\/p>\n

Tips<\/a> for tourists<\/a> before visiting<\/h2>\n

\"Sri<\/a><\/p>\n

Every tour<\/a>ist who decides to visit Sri Mariamman should understand that the temple is not just another historical building, but the keeper of religious beliefs and the abode of the gods. That is why, before visiting directly, it is important to familiarize yourself with the following useful tips<\/a>:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Hindu tradition implies that it is necessary to greet and say goodbye to the gods. It is for this that small bells are hung in front of the entrance to the temple, one of which is worth ringing at the beginning and at the end of the visit<\/a>. This is how you warn heavenly beings that you are entering and leaving the temple.<\/li>\n
  2. Representatives of any religious denominations can visit the temple, but you need to do this – strictly barefoot<\/li>\n
  3. Photo<\/a>s inside the building are allowed, but at an additional cost<\/li>\n
  4. The temple has a so-called Main Altar, where visitors are not allowed to enter.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How to get<\/a> to Sri Mariamman<\/h2>\n

    Temple Address: 244 South Bridge<\/a> Road<\/p>\n

    You can get to it by metro (Chinatown station, blue line) or bus<\/a> (Sri Mariamman stop, lines 166 and 197).<\/p>\n

    Sri Mariamman Temple in Singapore on the map<\/h2>\n