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My dear members,
Happy Karthigai greetings in advance.
Sorry for not being able to post for quite a long time due to various personal reasons/problems.
I was in Singapore for three months from middle May and then in the US.
one thing I observed in Singapore, was that all the temples {around 23} are extremely clean, well maintained, poojas done with
sincerity and with no pestering for money. And no shops selling pooja materials around temples,cluttering and dirtying the area.
When you book archana with or without coconut, the temple provides the materials, Vettilai,paakku,pazham andcoconut and you
are given the bag with vibuthi/kunkum prsadam too at the end of archana,
I made the habit of visiting a temple almost all days as for as possible and sometimes two.
I have a desire to write about the Temples of Singapore, the oldest round 200 years. Singapore had its Independence only 53
years ago but its ranking in the world is,way,way above ours!. The Government is really concerned about its people and especially
the seniors and have special programmes for them and the disabled about which I shall post separately. That is the way of an
Ideal GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE,BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE!, And the entire city is spick and span.
I sincerely hope the members and visitors will like it and I start with the Sri Sivan Temple which I happened to visit first.
HAPPY READING!
VARADARAJAN
SRI SIVAN TEMPLE, SINGAPORE
There are about 23 Hindu Temples in Singapore. Some are nearly 200 years old, the Oldest being The Mariamman Temple in
Chinatown that was constructed
in 1827.
The Sivan Temple, presently located in Geylang East Avenue was in three other places earlier. Potong Pasir, Dhoby Ghaut and
Serangoon Road near the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple being the locations. The Lord Siva, called Sri Viswanathar in the form of
Sivalingam is said to have been brought from Kasi,India. The sailors were continuously polishing the lingam during the transit by
the sea, so that it shines brightly. Earliest known worship of this Siva was in 1850.
In 1898, one Mr.V.Meyyappa Chetty and his wife took over the development of this temple with largely their own funds and some
donations.
Hindu Endowment Board, set up in 1907, took over the management of temples.
An estimated $6 million was spent in building this Temple in a 3000 sq.meters plot. The temple has an octagonal structure over an
elevated platform. The temple architecture is is a mixture of North and South Indian architecture and is very impressive and
beautiful to look at.. The consecration (Kumbabishekam) of the Sivan Temple took place on 30 may 1993.
LOCATION
The Sivan Temple is located within five minutes walking distance from the PAYA LEBAR MRT STATION OF SINGAPORE. The Mass
Rapid Transit system
MAJOR FESTIVALS CELEBRATED IN THIS TEMPLE ARE;
MAHA SIVARATHTHIRI
VINAYAKA CHATURTHI
VAIKASI VISAKAM
BRAHMOTSAVAM
THIRUKARTHIGAI
ARUDRA DARISANAM
THIRUVEMPAVAI VIZHA
VASANTHA NAVARATHIRI
GURU PEYARCHI
SANI PEYARCHI
SHARAD NAVARATHIRI
SKANDA SASHTI AND
every month, Pradosham,twice a month are celebrated in a big way followed by feast.
TEMPLE TIMINGS;
MORNING; 6.00 AM TO 12 NOON
EVENING; 6.00 PM TO 9.00 PM
DAILY POOJA SCHEDULE;
MORNINGS Ushatkala ....0600 am Kalasandhi....0800am Uchchikalam..1200noon
EVENINGS Sayaratchai....0600pm Irandamkalam..0700pm Arthajamam.....0900pm
ON MONDAYS THE TIME TAKEN FOR THESE POOJAS MAY BE LONGER THAN USUAL
THE DEITIES IN THIS TEMPLE ARE;
SRI VINAYAKAR
SRI VISWANATHAR
SRI VISALAKSHI
SRI MURUGAN
SRI DAKSHINAMURTHY
SRI NANDIKESWARAR
SRI KALA BHAIRAVAR
SRI CHANDIKESWARAR
SRI SURYAN
SRI CHANDRAN
SRI SANEESWARAR
SRI NAVAGRAHAS
SRI SANEESWARAR VIGRAHAM IS VERY IMPRESSIVE WITH A SEPARATE STAND FOR LAMPS LIT ON SATURDAYS BY DEVOTEES.
The devotees can perform Ashtotra archanas, with or without coconut, Sahasranama Archanas, Homams, Abishekams etc., on
payment. Term archanas, archanas done on some particular days can be booked in advance by payment. For example, archanas
on Mondays to Siva,Tuesdays to Vinayakar and Murugan, Fridays to Sri Visalakshi , on Saturdays to Sri Saneeswarar etc.,etc.,
Pooja materials are all provided by the temples and cost included in the ticket which is very reasonable.
Functions like Marriages, naming ceremonies, Vidyarambam can also be done in the Temple.
Pradosha Pooja for Lord Viswanathar is very popular and is well attended when one finds it difficult to find a place to sit. The
Abishekam is shown through
CCTV so that everyone can watch from afar. Siva and Parvati, seated on Nandi are taken in a procession down and
around the temple at street level and taken back up to the sanctum. All devotees are provided with prasadam food.
One can imagine then, how well attended the Maha Sivaraththiri celebrations will be in this temple!!
The ruling deity, lord Siva, named Sri.Viswnathar , Ganesa, Murugan and Visalakshi are considered Varaprasadhis. Devotees’
prayers are fulfilled as per the
local people.
So, if you visit Singapore, YOU MUST visit this temple without fail as well the oldest temple, Sri Mariamman Temple of China Town.
The temple has a big function hall for various activities and celebrations, a place for performing Homams and a separate place with
a Sivalingam,where, the devotees can perform abishekam by themselves to the Lord Siva.
Living quarters for the priests are also provided.
HINDU ENDOWMENT BOARD SERVICES;( HEB)
In order to inculcate the Hindu culture for the Gen Next as well as those who are interested several activities are conducted across
various temples by the
HEB, HINDU ENDOWMENT BOARD. THEY ARE:
PROJECT BHAKTI
It aims to share the rich Indian culture and ancient spiritual wisdom using the medium of stories,dramas,games,hands-on activities
and discussions and helps children to inculcate right thinking and live up to those values it helps children to resist the temptations
of the present day environment and lead an ethical and moral life.
This is done through week end classes of 2 hours duration in the Temple premises..
FREE THEVARAM CLASSES
Thevaram, considered as Tamil Vedas, written by the famous four Saints,Appar,Sundarar, Manckavachakar and Thirugnana
Sambandar are also taught on weekends at the temple premises for children and adults also as these need special explanations to
understand.
Free Homeopathy services are also provided in the premises of temples.