Seng Wong Beo Temple

Sitting behind the crimson gates at Peck Seah Street, the quirky Seng Wong Beo Temple, also known as the Du Cheng Huang Gu Miao Temple, has unflinchingly preserved the age-old practice of hosting ghost marriages. Devoted to Wei Ling Gong, the Chinese City God, this temple is where the wedding bells are chimed for the deceased.

Apart from the presiding deity, Seng Wong Beo also houses the glorious idols of Justice Bao, Martial Guan Di, Tua Li Ya Pek, Wen Chang Di Jun, and Xiao Zi Gong, among others. This quaint temple was established in 1905 by Reverend Swee Oi, and is devoid of the regal features of the other places of worship in Singapore. The extraordinary rituals and charms, however, make up for it and give an enchanting appearance to it that is pleasing to the eye. This tranquil place of worship is supposedly the only one in this contemporary city-state which has not changed its mystical ceremonies with the changing times. This occult ceremony is conducted when the family members of both sides come forward and wish to unite the departed souls. Sometimes, a matchmaker is requested to bring together two families looking for an appropriate partner for a deceased family member and the two departed, marriageable souls are united in holy matrimony.