Sri Thendayuthapani Temple

Your visit to Singapore is simply not complete if you haven’t visited the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. Also known as the Chettiars’ Temple, it was constructed in 1859 making it one of the oldest temples in the country.

The temple itself is an architectural masterpiece with a distinctive grass panel roof and a beautifully decorated interior. It is revered as a centre of worship by Singapore’s Hindu population and various festivals are usually held here during the year.

The first image you get as you approach the temple is that of its beautifully decorated facade. The building was renovated in 1983 and it now boasts of sculptured doors, arches and pillars. At the entrance, visitors must take off their shoes and adjust their clothing to ensure that they are modestly covered.

The deity ruling over the temple is Lord Murugan, also known as Lord Sri Thendayuthapani. Other deities that you will find inside are Lord Jambu Vinayagar and Lord Indumban.

Out of the six festivals held each year, the one you can’t afford to miss is the Thaipusam which is a thanksgiving ceremony. This ceremony is a sight to behold as the temple acts as the endpoint for the annual procession. You will sport many pilgrims whose bodies are bleeding after being pierced by sharp hooks and spiked steel structures referred to as Kavadi. The self-inflicted pain by the pilgrims is a sign of their devotion and gratitude to Lord Murugan for granting their prayers. The ceremony is held between January and February, so you can plan your visit to coincide with the occasion.

You can take as many pictures as you want since photography is allowed, both inside and outside the temple. The hall can accommodate almost 1000 people and it’s very popular for holding Hindu weddings. Visitors are treated warmly and kindly, so make a point of visiting this sacred monument of Hindu worship.