“From the oldest sanctuary to Thai-styled monastery, these beautifully designed temples in Singapore will impress even the most seasoned travelers.”
Singapore is undisputed one of the most gorgeous places in the world. And it won’t be what it is today without its diversity. Standing as a multicultural hub the country has plenty of religious sites that offer deep insights into different customs. Tourists love the myriad of culture, cuisine and attractions.
Amongst many, what seems to behold the emotions of all kinds of travellers is the place of worship. In the mix of an array of religion and races, the temples are primarily dedicated to three of them! Depicting rich artwork, gold galore, Buddha’s tooth and jaw-dropping architecture, there is no short of elegant monuments here.
The eight famous temples in Singapore that must be ticked off in your next vacay are-
1. Sri Mariamman Temple
Dated back to1827, this oldest and biggest Hindu temple in Singapore is nestled in Chinatown. This is dedicated to Goddess Mariamman, the god of rain who has the power of healing illness. As you feast your eye on this shrine, you find Gopuram( pyramid style gate-way) with six layers of statues of gods, animals and other embellishments in bright colours, which depicts stories. This Dravidian art-influenced style continues inside and you can explore amazing traditional designs. The Fire Walking Ceremony makes it even more popular during the Deepavali.
Location: 244 South Bridge Road, Singapore
Timings: 7 AM – 12 PM & 6 PM – 9 PM
2. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
Known for housing the tooth relic of Buddha in a stupa, which is made out of 320 kilograms of gold contributed by the devotees, the temple is way too fascinating. Sitting at the heart of Chinatown, this temple is iconic in its looks and artefacts. Apart from the tooth, the temple houses some unique Buddha antiques, including statues, tapestry and more. As it is temple plus museum, don’t be surprised to find a sophisticated library, a rooftop garden, bookstore and vegetarian restaurant. Take a tour of all four floors and you can explore the rich history and culture of Buddhism.
Location: 288 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058840
Timings: Viewing of Buddha Tooth Relic: 9 am- 6 pm
Buddhist Culture Museum and Relic Chamber: 9 am-6 pm
Eminent Sangha Museum: 7 am-7 pm
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3. Thian Hong Keng Temple
A Hokkien temple that holds the utmost significance in Singapore is the Thian Hong Keng, which literally translates to ‘temple of heavenly happiness’. It is the oldest shrine in the country, dedicated to the Goddess of Sea and is built in traditional Southern Chinese style. The intricate designs and artwork is highly admired and was a must stop for the Chinese immigrants in the past. The finest Asian styled art is composed of stone, wood and tile giving the structure an unusual construction. You will be baffled by the ceiling mosaics and magnificent architecture. It had undergone changes many a time since the day it’s built and the renovations have helped it win numerous awards.
Location: 158 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068613
Timings: 7:30 am- 5:30 pm
4. Burmese Buddhist Temple
Housing an 11-feet tall and 10-ton heavy Buddha image in white marble, the temple is gigantic. Brought in 1918 to Singapore, the temple is the oldest Theravada holy place here. Popularly called as Maha Sasana Ramsi, the inside hall has Buddha sitting- and the sight is tranquil and divine. In the outside there is a Bodhi tree seeded from the same tree under which Buddha got enlightenment, underlying which is a statue of Him, symbolising his awakening to the world. You can also be a part of several events taking place throughout the year, from Dhamma classes to Chinese New Year celebrations.
Location: 14 Tai Gin Road, Singapore 327873
Timing: 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
5. Sri Thendayuthapani Temple
Boasting an extraordinary feature on the roof -the 48 engraved glass panels that catch the bewildering sight of rising and setting of the sun, the Hindu temple embraces peace and love. Detailed on the top by the colourful statues and 75 feet tall blue Gopuram, the visitors are stunned at the entry itself. The main deity is the six-faced Lord Subramanian and on the full moon day in January and February, you can step forward to witness the life-size festival Thaipusam, one of the most awaited Singapore’s festivals and events.
Location: 15 Tank Rd, Singapore 238065
Timing: 8 am-noon, 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
6. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
The 14-handed goddess Kali, the fierce incarnation of Shiva’s Wife is the main avatar that is bowed and prayed here, who is strong in nature, protects from evil and removes ego. Built by the Indian pioneers- the Tamil settlers, the temple is a distinctive landmark in the heart of Little India. It is known for palatial designs and has fascinating stories to tell from past. With its bewildering architecture, colourful statues and entangled detailing, the visit to the temple turns out to be a spectacular experience.
Location: 141 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218042
Timing: 8:00 am- 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm
7. Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
Going back for about 164 years, the temple was built with statues of Perumal (Lord Vishnu), Goddesses Lakshmi and Andal and Lord Vishnu’s bird mount Garuda. The temple has been renovated several times. Designed in the traditional Indian style, it has the tall Gopuram (which was added in recent years of the 1970s) and different incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
Location: 397 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218123
Timing: 6:15 am- 9:00 pm
8. Yueh Hai Ching Temple
Acclaimed as the Temple of Love, you can pay a visit to this historic Chinese temple in Singapore. Inspired by the Teochew traditional Chinese architectural style, it has got decorated roofs, dragon and 3D walls, and other interesting sights to gaze at. Since you are at the temple, take out the time to commend its intricate ornamentation which underwent an extravagant restoration of $7.5 million and received a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage award. There are puppet shows still performed at the temple in honour of the deities on festivals.
Location: 30B Philip Street, Singapore 048696
Timing: 7:30 am-5:30 pm
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