Sri Sivan Temple ( ta, ஸ்ரீ சிவன் கோவில்) is a
Hindu
Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
temple
A temple (from the Latin ) is a building reserved for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. Religions which erect temples include Christianity (whose temples are typically called churches), Hinduism (whose temples ...
in
Singapore
Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...
for the god
Shiva
Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
. The temple was originally located in
Potong Pasir
Potong Pasir is a housing estate located between Toa Payoh and Sennett Estate in the Central Region of Singapore. For urban planning purposes, it is classified under the Toa Payoh area.
Politically, Potong Pasir had been the longest-held oppos ...
from where it was moved three more times before finally coming to the present location, adjacent to
Foo Hai Ch'an Buddhist Monastery, in front of
Paya Lebar MRT station
Paya Lebar MRT station is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the East West line (EWL) and Circle line (CCL) in Geylang, Singapore. Despite the name, this station is not located in Paya Lebar but rather along Paya Lebar Road, ne ...
exit C at
Geylang East Avenue 2.
History
Former sites af Shiva Lingam at Potong Pasir, MacDonald House and Dhoby Ghaut (before 1850s)
The
Sivalinga
A lingam ( sa, लिङ्ग , lit. "sign, symbol or mark"), sometimes referred to as linga or Shiva linga, is an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva in Shaivism. It is typically the primary ''murti'' or devotional im ...
was originally present in Potong Pasir, which was then moved to a spot in the lower end of
Dhoby Ghaut
Dhoby Ghaut () is a place in Singapore that often refers to the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, a major interchange station on Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit network connecting the North-South Line, North East Line, and the Circle Line. As a place, D ...
, then to a site near where
MacDonald House
The MacDonald House is a historic building and monument in Singapore, located at Orchard Road in the Museum Planning Area, within the Central Area. It was the first building to be fully air-conditioned in Southeast Asia. Located a short dist ...
stands today, and then on to the Orchard Road site where it used to be until 1983.
[.]
Former temple site at Dhoby Ghaut (1850-1983)
Sivalinga
A lingam ( sa, लिङ्ग , lit. "sign, symbol or mark"), sometimes referred to as linga or Shiva linga, is an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva in Shaivism. It is typically the primary ''murti'' or devotional im ...
which was earlier worshiped at Potong Pasir then moved to MacDonald House and finally to
Dhoby Ghaut Green
Dhoby Ghaut Green is an urban park in Singapore located adjacent to Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, opposite the Park Mall.
History
On 18 September 2021, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that a garden at Dhoby Ghaut Green could be chosen as a ...
. At Dhoby Ghaut Green, an in-situ temple was built where the lingam was worshiped. This temple stayed there till 1983.
[
In 1898, a further phase of the recorded development of the Sri Sivan Temple began. The reconstruction work took several years to complete. One Mr V Nagappa Chetty and his wife were responsible for this, largely with their own funds and from donations collected from local Hindus.][
]
WWII damage (1942)
During the Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, some of the statues of secondary deities
A deity or god is a supernatural being who is considered divine or sacred. The ''Oxford Dictionary of English'' defines deity as a god or goddess, or anything revered as divine. C. Scott Littleton defines a deity as "a being with powers greate ...
and a part of the temple structure were damaged by shells that landed around it. Towards the end of the war, renovations were made to the temple and a consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service. The word ''consecration'' literally means "association with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different grou ...
ceremony was held in July 1943. In 1954, the Municipal Commissioners wanted the temple to be setback from the road to widen Orchard Road
Orchard Road, often known colloquially as simply Orchard, is a major –long road in the Central Area of Singapore. Known as a famous tourist attraction, it is an upscale shopping area of Singapore, with numerous internationally renowned depa ...
. After long drawn discussions, a compromise was reached between the Board and the City Council
A municipal council is the legislative body of a municipality or local government area. Depending on the location and classification of the municipality it may be known as a city council, town council, town board, community council, rural counc ...
. In consideration of the temple giving up of the front land, the temple was given $50,000 and allowed to be rebuilt at the same site. Plans to rebuild the temple were drawn up in 1957. Local contractors completed the construction works in April 1962 and skilled craftsmen from India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
carried out the sculptural
Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sc ...
and ornamental works. The consecration ceremony was held on 9 December 1964.[
]
Former temple site at Serangoon (1983-1993)
In 1983, the Government decided to acquire the land on which the temple stood. An MRT
MRT may refer to:
Transport Rapid Transit Systems
* Mass Rapid Transit (disambiguation)
* MRT (Singapore) or Mass Rapid Transit, Singapore
* MRT (Bangkok) or Metropolitan Rapid Transit, Thailand
* Manila Metro Rail Transit System, Philippine ...
station was to be built underground. Therefore, a transit temple was built next to the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple or Sri Perumal Temple ( ta, சிங்கப்பூர் ஸ்ரீநிவாசப் பெருமாள் கோயில்) is one of the oldest temples in Singapore. It is located in Little India wit ...
at Serangoon Road
''Serangoon Road'' is an Australian-Singaporean television drama series which premiered on 22 September 2013 on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and HBO Asia. It is a detective noir drama set in the 1960s, revolving around Serango ...
while a more suitable and permanent site was being identified. The temple was demolished and all its deities where temporarily shifted to a new site at Serangoon Road. All the god-forms from the Orchard Road Temple were installed in the new site at Serangoon Road which allowed for all daily prayers and festivals celebrated to be continued Temple remained at this temporary site for 10 years til 1993..[
]
Present site at Geylang (since 1993)
On May 30 1993, the temple relocated from Seragoon Road opened at its present site in Geylang. The Hindu Endowments Board
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 ...
had intended to make the new temple unique in appearance, features and facilities. The Board and the management committee of the temple consulted well-known temple architect
An architect is a person who plans, designs and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...
s in India. The Board sent a team to study the best of both the North and South Indian Temples. What followed was a unique design with an octagon
In geometry, an octagon (from the Greek ὀκτάγωνον ''oktágōnon'', "eight angles") is an eight-sided polygon or 8-gon.
A '' regular octagon'' has Schläfli symbol and can also be constructed as a quasiregular truncated square, t, whi ...
al structure with a multi-purpose hall and staff quarters. The new temple was built at a cost of $6 million on a 3,000 sq. meter plot at Geylang East. The new site is about four-and-a-half times bigger than the temple's former site at Orchard Road.[
After ten years of temporary residence at Serangoon Road, the Sri Sivan Temple was consecrated at its present Geylang East site on 30 May 1993. Its 2nd consecration ceremony was held on 27 January 2008.
]
Management Committee
An order placing Sri Sivan Temple under the Mohammedan and Hindu Endowments Board (set up in 1907) was gazetted on 18 October 1915. In 1968, the Hindu Endowments Board
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 ...
(HEB) was formed to manage four temples including the Sri Sivan Temple. The Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) under the purview of 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 Min ...
(MCYS) manages Sri Sivan Temple.[
]
Social activities
Several major festivals are celebrated at Sri Sivan Temple.
* Daily Pooja at 6 am, 8 am, 12 noon, 6 pm, 7 pm and 9 pm
*Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri (IAST: Mahāśivarātri) is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the god Shiva. The name also refers to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance called Tandava.
In every month of the luni-solar Hindu ca ...
* Vasantha Navratri
*Guru Peyarchi
*Navratri
Navaratri is an annual Hindu festival observed in the honour of the goddess Durga. It spans over nine nights (and ten days), first in the month of Chaitra (March/April of the Gregorian calendar), and again in the month of Sharada. It is ob ...
* Skantha Shasti
* Prathosam - twice a month, free feast with prayers starting at 4 pm and food at 6 pm.
See also
* Context
** 1915 Singapore Mutiny
The 1915 Singapore Mutiny, also known as the 1915 Sepoy Mutiny or the Mutiny of the 5th Light Infantry, was a mutiny involving up to half of a regiment of 850 Indian Muslim sepoys against the British in Singapore during the First World War. Th ...
** Greater India
Greater India, or the Indian cultural sphere, is an area composed of many countries and regions in South and Southeast Asia that were historically influenced by Indian culture, which itself formed from the various distinct indigenous cultures ...
** History of Indian influence on Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia was in the Indian sphere of cultural influence from 290 BCE to the 15th century CE, when Hindu-Buddhist influences were incorporated into local political systems. Kingdoms in the southeast coast of the Indian Subcontinent had esta ...
** History of Singaporean Indians
The history of Singaporean Indians refers to the pattern of ethnic Indian migration and settlement in Singapore from 1819 to the present day. It also includes the social and political history of the Indian community in Singapore during this period. ...
** Indian diaspora
Overseas Indians (IAST: ), officially Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) are Indians who live outside of the Republic of India. According to the Government of India, ''Non-Resident Indians'' are citizens of Indi ...
** Indianisation
Indianisation also known as Indianization, may refer to the spread of Indian languages, culture, diaspora, cuisines, economic reach and impact since India is one of the greatest influencers since ancient times and the current century has been ...
** Indian National Army in Singapore
The Indian National Army (INA) was a Japanese sponsored Indian military wing in Southeast Asia during the World War II, particularly active in Singapore, that was officially formed in April 1942 and disbanded in August 1945. It was formed with the ...
** Hinduism in South East Asia
Hinduism in Southeast Asia had a profound impact on the region's cultural development and its history. As the Indic scripts were introduced from India, people of Southeast Asia entered the historical period by producing their earliest inscript ...
* Indian-origin religions and people in Singapore
** Arya Samaj in Singapore
Arya Samaj (Hindi: आर्य समाज सिंगापुर) has existed in Singapore since 1927 and runs Hindi classes at its premises through the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Schools System.
History
In 1927, Arya Samaj was established in ...
** Hinduism in Singapore
Hindu religion and culture in Singapore can be traced to the 7th century AD, when Temasek was a trading post of Hindu-Buddhist Srivijaya empire.Marshall Cavendish, ''The World and Its Peoples: Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Brunei'', , p ...
** Jainism in Singapore
The Jain community celebrated a presence of 100 years in Singapore marking the occasion by rededicating the "Stanak" and consecrating the idol of Mahavira. This brings together the two main sects of Jains - Svetambara and Digambara. The Singap ...
** Indian Singaporeans
Indian Singaporeans (Tamil: ') are Singaporeans of Indian or South Asian ancestry, who constitute 9.0% of the country's citizens, making them the third largest ancestry and ethnic group in Singapore.
While contact with ancient India left a de ...
** List of Hindu temples in Singapore
This is a list of Hindu temples in Singapore. A characteristic of most temples is the presence of ''murtis'' (or statues) of the Hindu deity to whom the temple is dedicated. They are usually dedicated to a single presiding deity, and other deit ...
** Lists of Hindu temples by country
** List of Indian organisations in Singapore
Among the population of Indians in Singapore there are many organisations and societies of a religious, cultural, social, educational, professional, business and sporting nature.
Religious organisations
Indian-origin religions
Government bo ...
** Singaporean Indians
Indian Singaporeans (Tamil language, Tamil: ') are Singaporeans of Indian people, Indian or South Asian ancestor, ancestry, who constitute 9.0% of the country's citizens, making them the third largest ancestry and ethnic group in Singapore.
Wh ...
References
External links
Sri Sivan Temple website (new official website, launched on 1 June 2016)
Sri Sivan Temple on the Hindu Endowments Board website
{{use dmy dates, date=September 2014
Geylang
Hindu temples in Singapore
Indian diaspora in Singapore
Tamil Singaporean
Tourist attractions in Singapore