Temples, Singapore

On Waterloo street in between Middle Rd and Rocher Rd is a small pedestrian area. There are street vendors and shops which seem to have a little more flavor and culture than some of the other areas around. There are also two temple side by side. One is the Sri Krishnan Temple and the other is the Kwan Im Temple. I didnt go inside the Sri Krishnan one because it didnt look too open. There were people outside praying, or what seemed like praying, but it wasnt open to the street. You may be able to go inside, I just didnt check. It is interested to look at from the ouside though. The other Temple was bursting with worshippers. They were inside and out and it was very open. You could see the inside from the street area. I was taking pictures of the outside and guard waved me over and said I could go inside and walk around, just no pictures. I did go inside and it was very interesting, like nothing I had ever seen before. There was a place to give donations so I gave a few bucks, but it looked like people were giving fruits and nuts too, I am not sure what that was about. There were stalls outside where people were buying sticks of inscence and flowers. They then entered the temple, holding them over their heads, against their foreheads. There was a large carpet in the middle where people removed their shoes to pray, on their knees, with heads down to the floor, similar in a way to the muslim prayer ritual. Some people had a canister filled with what looked like chopstick, which they got from a counter in the temple, and shock them while they prayed. It was very interesting inside. I really know nothing about the culture here, so these are just observations from an outsiders point of view, I am sorry if I butchered things or trivialized them. This is something worth seeing though.

Walking back to our hostel, I saw this beautiful temple, the gate was open when we passed by, so I was able to take a picture of it. The temple is artistically designed with attractive combination of colors.

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Thian Hock Keng Temple "Temple of Heavenly Bliss" was built in 1821 by Chinese Immigrants who were grateful for their safe voyage to Singapore. This was the first place the Chinese settlers would go once stepping off their boats, to give thanks to Ma Po Cho "Goddess of the Sea". The temple is located on Telok Ayer Street (Once Singapore's Waterfront) and was built entirely using no nails.

If you are a admirer of Chinese temples, then it is a must see while in Singapore.

This temple in Bugis is always gathered with devotees and prayers everyday. I heard it's the oldest, or one of the oldest temples in Singapore. In short, it's very historic, and the landmark of Bugis.

This temple was located in Little India, on the main road that runs through BUT I dont remember its name...helpful I know!! I didnt get a chance to go inside but seeing it from outside was just as good. The statuettes on the 'roof' of the temple were made out of gold, or were carefully painted gold. It is really beautiful and did not take long to see at all!

The work that must go into the Temples is amazing - the carvings and colours are womderful.

I visited loads of Temples whilst in this part of the world, they have a real spiritual feeling.

Just remember to take off your shoes before you go in!*

All areas are Singapore are filled with different temples - Buddist, Sikh and Hindu - among many.

The Sri Marriman is the most famous and the carving on the front are beautiful.

It is just so relaxing to stroll around these beautiful places, the smells, colours and shrines are truly beautiful.

I would recommend the "Temple of thousand lights" this is located in the "Little India" district of Singapore.*

Singapore is a city that lives in racial and cultural harmony. It has temples of various religions within sight of each other: churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, etc.

For me, it was my first foray into a temple and mosque. Yet, the feeling all around is one of understanding and compassion. Another first I had, being in a Jewish synagogue, was in Budapest, just outside the memorial for the 100,000 Hungarian Jews that lost their life in the Holocaust. Why is it that these religions can cope and deal with each other on this tiny island nation, yet not in the rest of the world...