Who would have expected to discover Singapore's oldest Hindu temple right in the middle of Chinatown?
It's unexpected, to be sure, and the story behind it is intriguing.
History of Sri Mariamman Temple
Sri Mariamman Temple dates back to 1827, which was eight years after the British East India Company established a trading settlement in Singapore. It wasn’t supposed to be there originally; the British first offered land in Telok Ayer Street for a Hindu temple along with sites for a Chinese temple and a mosque. But when the Hindus saw that Telok Ayer did not have a convenient source of fresh water they could use for their rituals, they turned down the offer.
After the Brits offered this site at South Bridge Road (1823), a treasury clerk, who was the first recorded Indian immigrant to Singapore, built a humble wood and atap hut on the spot. It was dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, who nourishes and protects all things. Mariamman is also known for her healing powers in epidemic diseases such as cholera and smallpox, which were rampant in early Singapore's jungle environment.
In 1843, South Indian immigrants replaced it with something more substantial. The temple soon became a refuge for new immigrants, who stayed there until they could find work and accommodation.
Sri Mariamman Temple remains the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. However, since then, the temple has been rebuilt and expanded to better serve the Hindu community. It is now a 3-story complex, complete with an auditorium and rooms for weddings, meetings, cultural events, and so forth. And yet, the oldest parts of the temple are from the original 1843 structure. Its history remains.
ⓘ Interesting fact: Two nearby streets got their names because of this temple: Temple Street (for obvious reasons) and Pagoda Street, because of the shape of the temple's gopura.
Visiting the temple
As evening falls, priests, worshippers, and musicians take part in age-old rituals and present beautifully arranged offerings to their gods. These offerings are carefully selected according to what they symbolize. For instance, mango and coconut leaves are signs of purity, and bananas symbolize abundance. Worshipers always walk in a clockwise direction in the temple for an odd number of times to bring good luck.
The gopura
Sri Mariamman Temple is best known for the colorful and elaborately carved six-tiered tower over the temple gates. Towers like this, called gopuram, are quite typical in Dravidian architecture. (The famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia was also based on this style.)
Although they are not all painted like this one, every gopura is made from sandstone, soapstone, or granite, and each is intricately carved with Hindu deities and mythological beasts. Gopurams are always pyramid-shaped, tapering straight up toward the sky.
Important gods
Next to the gopura at this temple are sculptures of two important Hindu gods: Murugan and Krishna. Murugan is the god of war and the Tamil patron deity. This is the same god that is honored at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. There, you will see a massive golden statue of a god, and if you're there in February, you can attend the annual Thaipusam festival.
Read more: How to Photograph Thaipusam at Batu Caves
Krishna is easy to spot: he is always a blue-skinned cowherd boy playing his flute. He is greatly beloved by Hindus as a divine warrior, gentle lover, and teacher.
Temple doors
Beneath the gopura are imposing wooden doors. Their massive size is quite deliberate, designed to remind the worshipers of their insignificance in comparison to the divine. And the grids of bells on the doors? Devotees believe that ringing them will bring good luck.
Inside the temple
The inside of the temple is as colorful as the outside, with colorful paintings everywhere, even on the ceiling. The main prayer hall contains the central shrine of Mariamman. On both sides are the shrines of two secondary deities – Murugan (you saw him outside) and Rama.
Nearby are a series of free-standing, dome-roofed shrines for different deities.
Firewalking at Sri Mariamman Temple
If you are in Singapore between mid-October and mid-November, you are welcome to one of the temple’s main festivals. Sri Mariamman Temple holds an annual fire-walking ceremony (timiti) about a week before Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, and it is an impressive sight.
Plan your visit
Sri Mariamman Temple is a Singapore National Monument and is owned by the Hindu Endowments Board.
- Admission: Free, or S$3.00 if you have your camera. It's worth it though; you will come home with beautiful pictures.
- Hours: 07:00 – 11:30 and 18:00 – 20:45
- Dress: Take off your shoes before entering, and dress conservatively (no shorts, sleeveless shirts, etc.).
Getting to Sri Mariamman Temple
Sri Mariamman Temple is located in the heart of Chinatown, at 244 South Bridge Road, one of Singapore’s most vibrant and historic districts. It’s simple to reach no matter how you’re traveling around the city.
By MRT:
The most convenient way is to take the Downtown (Blue) or North East (Purple) Line to Chinatown Station (DT19/NE4). From there, it’s a short 3-minute walk along Pagoda Street toward South Bridge Road—you’ll spot the temple’s colorful gopuram (tower) rising above the shophouses.
By Bus:
Several bus routes stop nearby, including 61, 166, and 197. Get off at the Sri Mariamman Temple stop on South Bridge Road.
By Taxi or Ride-Hailing:
Simply enter Sri Mariamman Temple or 244 South Bridge Road into your app. The temple is well known, so most drivers will recognize it instantly.
Walking Tip:
If you’re exploring Chinatown, combine your visit with nearby attractions like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Chinatown Heritage Centre, or Telok Ayer Market—all within a few minutes on foot.
Tours that include Sri Mariamman Temple
Would you like to have someone show you around Singapore? Here are some tours to consider:
- Private Full-Day Singapore Highlights Tour with Private Vehicle, Lunch and Dinner
- Uncover the Gems of Chinatown Singapore
- Private Guided Tour: Stories of Chinatown Singapore
Where to stay
Read more
We have a series of Singapore articles here on As We Saw It. Reader favorites include:
- One Day in Singapore: Best Things to See
- Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum in Singapore
- Is Singapore Night Safari Worth the Expense?
- Visit Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO Site
- Have You Been to Marina Bay Sands?
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Hello Linda! Great article, thanks for sharing all that helpful information! You might want to update the temple’s operating hours though, its 7:00 am – 11:30 am and 6:00 pm – 8:45 pm. I have recently visited the temple and I was simply amazed by its grandeur – I can’t wait to go back! I would be glad if you could drop by my Sri Mariamman article and have a look 🙂
It is an amazing sight, isn’t it? If you haven’t been, we also recommend Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. It’s only a few blocks away and definitely worth a look.
worshiper of singapur temple
It looks so beautiful, very colorful indeed. Also interesting history behind.
I have been to Singapore a few times but somehow missed this temple. I definitely will visit next time.
After hearing others’ reports, we were so disappointed that it was closed while we were there. Like you, it’s on our must-see list for the next time we’re in the country.