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Dear friends,
there is a famous Ganesh Temple in Singapore. It is called Sri Shenbaga Vinayagar Temple, (SSVT). It is very popular and is located in the Ceylon Road. I have seen some Chinese devotees having Darshan regularly and breaking coconuts to seek His blessings. Let us know something about the History and some more about the temple as well as its activities to perpetuate our ancient culture and traditions there in Singapore.
Varadarajan
SRI SHENBAGA VINAYAGAR TEMPLE
TEMPLE HISTORY
THE BEGINNING
The history of the Temple began more than 150 years ago - in the 1850s - with the discovery of a statue of Lord Vinayagar by the side of a pond. A Chempaka tree, Senpaga in Tamil, stood on the bank of the pond and gave the identifying element to the Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple. The word Sri is a respectful prefix. A Ceylon Tamil, Mr Ethirnayagam Pillai pioneered the building of the first structure, a modest shelter with an attap roof with the help of Indian workers. This humble abode under the Chempaka tree became the temple of Sri Senpaga Vinayagar.
APPOINTMENT OF PRIEST
In 1909, the Ceylon Tamils who had grown in number to about 300 families, formed the Singapore Ceylon Tamils Association (SCTA). In 1913, a Management Committee of four persons was formed to renovate the premises for the ever growing number of devotees. In 1923, the SCTA assisted the Temple by purchasing the land on which the Temple stands today in 1923. A bigger Temple subsequently emerged with a priest (a pandaram) to initiate prayers (poojas) and other religious ceremonies.
SCTA'S ROLE
In 1923, the SCTA became the official keeper and manager of this autonomous Temple. From that year onwards, the Temple Committee was elected from among the SCTA members. In the following year, the Committee decided to upgrade the Temple. Under the Chairmanship of Mr S Muthukumaru, the plans were finalized in 1926 and a sculptor was commissioned. The construction of the concrete building was completed in 1929.
FIRST CONSECRATION CEREMONY
(Maha Kumbhabishegam), 1930 Generous donations from the Chairman; many well-placed community leaders and devotees permitted the addition of several new shrines within the precincts of the Temple. They included shrines for Lord Shiva, Goddess Ambal, and Lords Subramaniam, Vairavar and Nageswarar. On 3 February, 1930 a major Consecration (Maha Kumbhabishegam) of the Temple was held for the first time.
AFTER 2ND WORLD WAR
During the Second World War, a bomb damaged the Temple. Restoration began in 1949 under the Chairmanship of Dr. P. Thillainathan and six years later on 7 July, 1955, devotees witnessed another Consecration Ceremony. Periodic upgrading of the Temple resulted in the addition of new halls, kitchens, classrooms, a perimeter wall, a wedding dias, and a library. On 8 November, 1989, the then Senior Minister, Mr S Rajaratnam declared open the three storey extension with an air-conditioned wedding and dining hall.
THE NEW TEMPLE
Chunks of concrete began falling from the ceiling of the Temple and cracks appeared in its walls. These occurrences prompted the SCTA to act. At its Annual General Meeting in 1998, a resolution was passed to appoint Dr R Theyvendran, PBM as the Project Chairman for the rebuilding of the Temple. Despite his limited expertise in this field, he accepted the challenge and brought to bear his entrepreneurial skills. He was ably assisted by Mr S M Vasagar, ex-Chairman and then Advisor; Mr S Moganaruban, PBM, Chairman of the Temple Management Committee, its dedicated members and a legion of well-wishers.
MUSIC DANCE ACADEMY
The Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Music and Dance Academy is an established Indian Arts and Music institution.
We have provided quality art and music education to more than 1000 students since we started the school in 2005. Our specialist Teachers are trained in reputable institutions in India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and other countries.
Students can choose from a wide variety of courses including Carnatic Vocal, Tabla, Veena, Sitar, Mirudhangam, Violin, Keyboard, Flute, Bharatha Natyam and Hindi.
\ Beyond learning through weekly classes and annual exams, we create opportunities for our students to perform in the temple, Community Centres, schools and community events, and to take part in national competitions. To promote the arts, we have also organised many events to grow a vibrant art scene in Singapore.
Truly, our vision is to inspire a new generation of students to love and embrace Indian Art and Music.
To find out more about our classes, please call us at Tel : 9173 4522.
Register for one of our enriching classes today!
NEW KUCHIPUDI CLASSES
The Music and Dance Academy of the Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple is starting Kuchipudi dance classes from Friday 5th March 2021 at 6.00 pm and classes will be held every Friday. The guru, Srimathi Sheela Bhavani is a certified Kuchipudi classical dancer and an enthusiastic performer and teacher. She was bestowed the title Nrithya Kala Bhagya Vidushimani in Hyderabad, India in 2020. Srimathi Sheela Bhavani received her Kuchipudi training under the tutelage of Sangeeta Natya Sironmani Guru Srimathi Dr Annuradha Venkatakrishna who hails from the lineage of prestigious gurus, the late Padmashri Vedantam Satya Narayana Sharma and late Shri.P.V.G. Krishna Sharma. Srimathi Sheela Bhavani has performed widely in India, Ireland and in Singapore over the past few years.
Students interested in learning Kuchipudi may call Ms Anitha Kumaran at 9173 4522 or email mdaadmin@ssvt.org.sg
SAIVA SAMAYA SCHOOL
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Saiva Samaya School teaches Tamil, Thevarams, Thirumurai and Saivaite religious knowledge to children aged 4 to 14. Classes are conducted at the Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple.
The following classes are available for registration :
Nursery, K1, K2, Primary 1, Primary 2, Primary 3, Primary 4, Primary 5, Primary 6, Secondary 1 and Secondary 2.
Classes take place every Sunday morning from 9am to 12noon. Breakfast is served between lessons.
Closed in 2020 due to Covid-19 precautions. Starting date in January 2021 to be confirmed.
OUR TEACHERS
Our teachers are passionate, dedicated and knowledgeable in various aspects of Saiva Samayam and Tamil.
TRANSPORT
Transport to and from the school are available from various parts of Singapore, subject to availability.
Please check if bus service is available when registering your child. Transport fees are subject to costs by bus operators.
THIRUMURAI (TAMIL MANTRAS) CHANTING
By attending the Saiva Samaya School, students acquire the skill of singing Thevarams, individually and in groups. In the course of learning the Thevarams, students are also able to grasp knowledge on the various aspects of Thevarams.
SPEECH & DRAMA
Our students are taught Speech & Drama by Drama & Theatre Specialists and Musicians. They are able to confidently go on stage and perform various roles assigned to them in the drama. They are taught to speak in Tamil fluently and continue to keep Tamil as a Living Language.
All students take part in the Navarathiri celebrations and selected Temple functions.