Our coaches can bring you to Singapore's oldest Hindu temple is an impressive structure in Chinatown. Dating back to 1827, the brick bones of the present building were built around 1843. Later additions have included a profusion of deities carved all over its walls, bell-decked doors and frescoes on the ceilings.

Sri Mariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. Its site was acquired in 1823 by Narayan Pillai, a clerk of the East India Company who had accompanied Sir Stamford Raffles to Singapore. Historical evidence suggests that by 1827 a wood and thatched temple stood here. By 1862-63 the present structure had been constructed. It has, however, undergone several renovations over the years; the last one took place in 1996. Since its foundation the Temple has occupied a unique place in the life of the Hindu community in Singapore and has been gazetted as a National Monument by the Government. It has been used as a place of lodging for new immigrants (till 1900s) and as a Registry for Births and Death. The Temple Committee has helped settle disputes between community-members, and more recently has played an important role in promoting arts, literacy and Tamil education.

The Temple is dedicated to Sri Mariamman, a manifestation of the Great Goddess, worshipped for health and prosperity. Sri Mariamman is popular in Southern India where goddesses are addressed as amman ('mother'). Given the large South Indian community in Singapore, temples dedicated to the Goddess and deities popular in South India dominate the landscape.

As you enter the gates of the temple, look up at the gopuram or the tower over the entrance of the temple. Covered with figurative sculptures of gods and goddesses and mythological beasts, this tower is visible from afar so devotees can even say their prayers without stepping inside the temple. Notice strings of fresh mango and coconut leaves hanging above temple doors - they are signs of welcome and purity.

As with all Hindu temples, certain rituals have to be observed. Remove your shoes before you enter. At the door, devotees ask God to grant their requests by ringing the bells before entering. They also purify themselves by washing their hands and feet, and sprinkling water on their heads. Near the door, look out for the aluminium enclosure into which devotees break coconuts as a symbol of breaking their egos to reveal their pure and kind inner-selves.  

Within the temple compound, walk in a clock-wise direction and only encircle the temple hall an odd number of times as a sign of good luck. Look out for the offerings of bananas (symbol of abundance), mangoes and even saris for the goddesses at the shrine. The lotus, a symbol of human life to the Hindus, is frequently used as a decorative motif.

The firewalking festival, Thimithi, is celebrated at this temple. This is also the preferred venue for most Hindu weddings.