Name: Sri Sivan Temple
Rating: 4.7

Sri Sivan Temple, Singapore Overview

Situated at the Geylang Avenue in Singapore, the stupendous Sri Sivan Temple is a place of worship of the Hindu God, Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the temple. This magnificent temple can very well be considered as a modern structure, with the fusion of both South and North Indian architectural influences adding to the aura of this holy place. There are six main prayers held here on a daily basis, and the temple has a specific time for the performance of the same.

Initially established at Potong Pasir, this sacred temple was shifted to three other sites before finally settling at its present location, near the Foo Hai Ch'an Buddhist Monastery. Even though Lord Shiva is the prime idol of worship, Sri Sivan Temple houses at least twelve other deities, including the ornate Sri Vinayagar, Sri Viswanathar, Sri Navagraham, Sri Kalabairavar, and Sri Vishalashi Amman. During festivals like Maha Shivratri and Vasanth Panchami, this place is surrounded by a jubilant atmosphere. It teems with devotees who come here to perform the various rituals and seek blessings from God. Other festivals are also celebrated with pomp throughout the year. Apart from being a place of worship, the gorgeous Sri Sivan Temple also provides free homoeopathy services, Hinduism classes to children (known as Project Bhakti), free Thevaram classes for both adults and children, and also primary and tertiary bursaries.

Daily Prayer Schedule

The early morning prayer, referred to as Ushathkaalam, begins at 6:00 AM, followed by the Kaalasanthi Puja at 8:00 AM. The Uchchikaalam Puja begins at 12:00 PM, except on Saturdays, when it commences at 12:30 PM. The Irandamkaalam Puja, commencing from seven in the evening is preceded by the Sayaratchai Puja, being held an hour before the former. Finally, the Arthajaamam Puja takes place before the temple closes for the night, at 9:00 PM.

This glorious place is a popular attraction not only to the tourists but also to the locals. It has a serene environment and owing to the calm aura surrounding it, this tranquil temple is the ideal spot for connecting with your spiritual self.

History

The Sri Sivan Temple was first established at the Potong Pasir in the early 19th century, later rebuilt at a spot lying in close proximity to the Dhoby Ghaut. From there, it was shifted to the place where the MacDonald House currently stands, and after that, it was relocated to a site on the Orchard Road, where it stood in all its glory until 1983. The temple has gone through several major phases of reconstruction and renovation. In the 1850s, it was rebuilt as a solid structure at the Orchard Road site. Soon after, in 1898, the second phase of the redevelopment of this spiritual temple began which lasted for several years before reaching completion. The renovation of this structure was possible mainly because of the funds from the local Hindu community.

Portions of the temple, along with the statues of some of the secondary deities, were heavily damaged during the Second World War. When the war was about to end, further renovations were made and in 1943, the consecration ceremony was held. Soon after, starting from 1957, this splendid temple had to be rebuilt as the government wanted to expand the width of the Orchard Road. In 1983, the government decided to reclaim the area of the temple in order to build an underground MRT station. A transit temple was built at Serangoon Road to allow the devotees to continue visiting. Finally, after a decade of temporary residence, the Sri Sivan Temple was erected at Geylang Avenue where it currently stands.

Architecture of Sri Sivan Temple

The Sri Sivan Temple metamorphoses a unique blend of the two most prominent styles of Indian architecture. The architectural style of the colossal Sri Sivan Temple is Dravidian architecture, but with variations. Dravidian architecture is mainly a South Indian form, but this temple also has features of North Indian architecture. The structure is octagonal in shape and houses a multipurpose hall and staff quarters. The outer surface of this beautiful temple is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, carried out by Indian craftsmen hired for this purpose.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Sri Sivan Temple is during one of the several festivals held here. The main festival is Maha Shivaratri, held mostly in February. Apart from this, Vasantha Navratri, Guru Peryarchi, Skantha Shashti, and Navratri are also celebrated with grandeur.

Tips

Special prayer services can be booked. The booking can be done online or at the premises.
Twice a month, Prathosham puja is held at the temple. On these days, it arranges a free feast along with prayers. The prayer commences at 4:00 PM and the food is served from 6:00 PM.

How To Reach Sri Sivan Temple

The Paya Lebar MRT station is the closest to the Sri Sivan Temple. Take exit C to reach the temple within five minutes. Alternatively, take bus 80, 134 or 155 to Geylang. On reaching the Geylang bus stop, it is a three-minute walk to the temple.