The Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).

Role

Temple and Community Organization management

The Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) manages the Sri Mariamman Temple, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple,

Sri Sivan Temple Sri Sivan Temple ( ta, ஸ்ரீ சிவன் கோவில்) is a Hindu temple in Singapore for the god Shiva. The temple was originally located in Potong Pasir from where it was moved three more times before finally coming to the pres ...

and Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temples, and also administers a half-way house, where substance abusers are rehabilitated.

Celebration of Hindu Festivals

HEB’s involvement in community projects spans from free medical counseling services to bringing

Deepavali Diwali (), Dewali, Divali, or Deepavali (IAST: ''dīpāvalī''), also known as the Festival of Lights, related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a religious celebration in Indian religions. It is on ...

joy to

Little India, Singapore Little India ( ta, லிட்டில் இந்தியா) is an ethnic district in Singapore. It is located east of the Singapore River – across from Chinatown, located west of the river – and north of Kampong Glam. Both areas ...

through a street light up and trade fair held annually during the festive season. Underprivileged Singaporeans in community homes and charities are not forgotten and benefit through Deepavali Cheer, HEB’s annual festive care and share programme. HEB is responsible for organizing major Hindu festivals like

Thaipusam Thaipusam or Thaipoosam (Tamil language, Tamil: தைப்பூசம், ''taippūcam'' Wikipedia:Naming conventions (Indic), ?), is a festival celebrated by the Hindu Tamil people, Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil calendar, T ...

and

Firewalking Firewalking is the act of walking barefoot over a bed of hot embers or stones. It has been practiced by many people and cultures in many parts of the world, with the earliest known reference dating from Iron Age India . It is often used as a rite ...

. It also helps other Hindu temples in Singapore on staff matters, religious issues and getting land for relocation of temples. HEB actively supports and is involved in inter religious activities and community service projects organized by the various religious groups in Singapore.

History

Formation of the Hindu Endowments Board

The Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) was formed in 1968 by an Act passed in parliament which transferred the management of 4 major Hindu temples from the Mohammedan and Hindu Endowments Board (MHEB). The MHEB was formed in 1907 by the

British Empire The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts e ...

's government of

Colony of Singapore Singapore was a British colony for 144 years, apart from a period of occupation under the Japanese Empire from 1942 to 1945 during the Pacific War. When the Empire of Japan surrendered to the Allies in 1945, at the end of World War II, Singa ...

in early Singapore to overcome shortcomings in the management of Hindu and Muslim religious entities.

Formation of the Hindu Advisory Board

In 1985, the Hindu Advisory Board (HAB) was established to advise the Government and HEB on matters of Hindu religion and customs. Both the Hindu Endowments Board and the Hindu Advisory Board are headed by Chairpersons appointed by the

Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) was a ministry of the Government of Singapore tasked with building a "cohesive and resilient" society in Singapore. On 1 November 2012, the MCYS was restructured and became the M ...

. There are presently 16 members in HEB and 12 members in HAB.

References

{{Statutory boards of Singapore 1968 establishments in Singapore Indian diaspora in Singapore Hinduism in Singapore Statutory boards of the Singapore Government