Now, we arrived at a Hindu temple located at 397 Serangoon Road. Amazing findings right here!
It is one of Singapore’s earliest Hindu temples and is known for being the starting point for kavadi carriers during the Thaipusam festival. It was gazetted as a national monument on 10 November 1978. Perumal, or Lord Vishnu, has been the main deity in this temple.
The history of Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple dates back to the late 1800s when influential community leaders like Mr Arunachala Pillay, Mr Cootaperumal Pillay, Mr Ramasamy Pillay, Mr Appasamy Pillay, Mr Chockalingam Pillay and Mr Ramasamy Jamidar, all of whom had close working links with the East India Company, wanted to build a Hindu temple for Vaishnavite worship. The temple they built in 1885 was known as the Narasinga Perumal Kovil. The now known as Sri Srinivasa Perumal.
By the 1960s the poor state into which the temple had fallen called for a total reconstruction, and an Hindu architect from Madras was engaged. The temple also has a Marriage Hall donated by the well known Tamil businessman, the late P. Govindasamy Pillai. He also gave the gopuram, the multi-tiered, richly ornamented, gateway tower over the main entrance.
The temple displays many features of a traditional South Indian Hindu temple. The high boundary wall is decorated with colourful sculptures of animals, humans, gods and goddesses. The 6-level gopuram faces east and is covered with decorative sculptures, ranging from Hindu deities to floral and abstract patterns. The main temple or mandapam is also well-decorated, including a brightly painted ceiling with geometric designs. The wedding hall, which was constructed in the 1960s, was and is still a popular venue for Hindu weddings now.
The compound of the temple actually has four buildings: the main one dedicated to Lord Perumal (Vishnu) - one of the Hindu trinity, the Preserver of the Universe. He represents mercy and goodness. The Hindu belief is that (Lord Vishnu) incarnates himself to conquer evil and to uphold righteousness.
Interesting findings of the temple as well as the religion.
Interesting findings of the temple as well as the religion.
References
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