| Sri
Mariamman Temple (1843)
other
sites in Singapore |
Singapore, Singapore |
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Map from brochure available on site. Dark areas are inaccessable to public. |
Sri Mariammam Hindu temple
is almost as old as Singapore itself. In 1827 the government clerk
Naraina Pillay, who came in the same ship as Stamford Raffles years earlier,
erected a wood and atap hut on this site. Later in 1843 the present
temple was constructed and dedicated to the goddess Mariamman who is worshipped
for her power to cure disease (early Singapore was mostly jungle, so disease
was rampant). The temple is built in the south Indian Dravidian style
similar to Sri
Meenakshi in Madurai, India. Its most interesting feature is
its impressive gopuram (tower) over the main entrance, which is
decorated with numerous Hindu deities.
Bibliography: All images copyright 2002 Tim Ciccone Lewis, Mark. The Mini
Rough Guide to Singapore
Rowthorn, Chris et al. Malaysia,
Singapore, and Brunei
Signposts on site and brochures. |