Sri Mariamman Temple
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Sri Mariamman Temple - by Lynette Burlison on Google
Description
Sri Mariamman Temple located in Singapore's Chinatown is the city's oldest Hindu Temple and is named after Mariamman, the Hindu goddess of rain. The original structure was built in 1827 - only 8 years after the East India Company opened their Singapore outpost - and it was expanded shortly afterwards. It is built in the Dravidian style (South Indian) and the "gopuram" rising above the main entrance is the ornamental highlight of the temple, it consists of 6 tiers filled with sculptures of Hindu deities. Historically, the temple also served as a shelter for new Tamil Hindu immigrants until they found work and a permanent accommodation. The temple is famous for the fire walking festival taking place around October.
Access & Transport
Chinatown MRT station (NE and Downtown lines), Maxwell (TE line) and Telok Ayer (Downtown) are all a 5mins walk away. There is also a bus stop directly across on South Bridge rd and Upper Cross St isn't far for additional options. The address is 244 South Bridge Rd.
Instructions & Recommendations
Note the split hours for tourist visits. This activity can be combined with a visit of Chinatown, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple a couple of minutes down South Bridge Rd and dinner & drinks around Club St.
Environmental & Social
Environmentally neutral and part of the city's cultural heritage.
Conclusion
Very much in line with the meta-review section, we think Sri Mariamman Temple deserves a quick visit and a few pictures for its six-tier ornamented gopuram of Hindu deities if you happen to be in Chinatown. However, we would not suggest a large detour to see it unless the fire walking festival is taking place (it gets very crowded then).
Key positive
Photogenic entrance
Centrally located
Key negative
Many restricted areas and little to see inside for visitors
Suitability
No religious denomination restrictions. Accessible for visitors with reduced mobility.
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 25m
est. visit time:0h 45m
MONDAY06:00 - 12:00
TUESDAY06:00 - 12:00
WEDNESDAY06:00 - 12:00
THURSDAY06:00 - 12:00
FRIDAY06:00 - 12:00
SATURDAY06:00 - 12:00
SUNDAY06:00 - 12:00
MONDAY18:00 - 21:00
TUESDAY18:00 - 21:00
WEDNESDAY18:00 - 21:00
THURSDAY18:00 - 21:00
FRIDAY18:00 - 21:00
SATURDAY18:00 - 21:00
SUNDAY18:00 - 21:00