Sri Mariamman Temple
Chinatown, Singapore, Singapore
VerifiedDocumented history
- Deities
- Mariamman (Shakti)
- Traditions
- shakta
- Worship status
- active
- Coordinates
- 1.2828, 103.8483
- Darshan hours
- Varies by temple and season; consult the temple's own trust/management for the current daily schedule before visiting.
- Best time to visit
- Year-round tropical climate; the annual Thimithi (fire-walking) festival in October/November is the temple's most striking observance.
- How to reach
- Located in Chinatown, a short walk from Chinatown MRT station.
- Festivals
- Thimithi (fire-walking festival) (October/November)
Location
Open in Google MapsSingapore’s oldest Hindu temple, founded in 1827 by early Tamil immigrant Naraina Pillai, Sri Mariamman is dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, worshipped for her power to cure disease and bring rain. Its six-tiered gopuram — an entrance tower first built in 1903 and rebuilt in its current, more elaborate form in 1925, with further sculptural embellishment added in the 1960s restoration — is densely covered in sculpted deities. Gazetted a National Monument of Singapore on 6 July 1973, the temple reflects its role at the heart of the city-state’s Tamil Hindu community for nearly two centuries.
Sources
- historical record: 1827 founding by Naraina Pillai and National Monument status are documented Singapore heritage records.
- historical record: Cross-checked against Wikipedia's account of Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore during verification pass: confirms Naraina Pillai (a government clerk who arrived with Stamford Raffles in 1819) founded the temple in 1827; confirms National Monument gazettal on 6 July 1973; corrects the gopuram date (see review_flags).
For review
- Corrected during verification pass: earlier text said the gopuram was 'added in the 1930s'; Wikipedia's account instead places the original three-tiered entrance tower in 1903 and the current, more elaborate six-tiered gopuram in 1925, with further restoration and added sculptural work in the 1960s.