Singapore, Apr 2: The Singapore Government has allocated a plot of land to build a new Hindu temple in the city-state’s Yishun Avenue 3 to meet the growing needs of the Hindu community here.
Construction of Sree Guruvayoorappan Ayyappan Temple (SGAT) on a site in the Yishun housing estate is expected to commence in August or September, according to a media report on Wednesday.
SGAT will be the 25th Hindu temple in Singapore, according to the Indian community-serving weekly tabla!
The Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnanamuneeswarar Temple in Sengkang housing estate was the last Hindu temple built in Singapore in 2006.
Priests from Kerala, particularly those from the Sabarimala Temple, are expected to serve at SGAT, the tabloid added.
Located near an existing Sree Maha Mariamman Temple, which is preparing for its consecration ceremony this year, and Holy Tree Balasubramaniar Temple (HTSB) in Yishun, the site was allocated following consultations with the state-run Hindu Advisory Board and other community stakeholders, according to tabla!
Announcing the plans to the media at HTSB on March 28, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, Dinesh Vasu Dash, pointed out that there is currently no temple in Singapore dedicated to the two deities, Guruvayoorappan and Ayyappan.
Noting that the northern part of Singapore has a higher concentration of Indian residents, Dinesh said the new temple is well-positioned to serve the community.
The new SGAT will allow devotees to worship several deities alongside these two main deities.
In particular, the temple would serve as a starting point for Singaporean pilgrims, many of whom travel to the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple (Sabarimala) in Kerala. The new temple would possibly make it easier for devotees, particularly elderly worshippers, to begin their spiritual journey, he added.
The Sabarimala, dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, attracts 40 to 50 million devotees annually, and involves a challenging 41-day preparatory trek to the hilltop shrine.
Additionally, Guruvayoor Temple, also in Kerala, is dedicated to Lord Guruvayoorappan (Lord Krishna) and draws millions each year.
The two temples are especially significant to the Malayalee diaspora as they are located in their home state of Kerala and are closely linked to longstanding religious traditions and family practices.
The new temple dedicated to Lord Guruvayoorappan and Lord Ayyappan has been a long-standing desire, particularly among the Malayalee community in Singapore, and it will satisfy that desire, noted Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam, who attended the media briefing.
“Beyond the Malayalee community, many other Hindus, including the Tamils, North Indians, the great devotees of the Ayyappan as well as Guruvayoorappan, millions make the pilgrimage in India to these two temples, and the fact that there is a dedicated temple for these two deities and other deities will fulfil the aspiration of all Hindus. (The) Malayalee community will be very happy,” the weekly had Minister Shanmugam as saying.
SGAT’s layout and entrance would differ from typical Hindu designs to reflect Singapore’s concept of Harmony Circles, in which places of worship contribute to community cohesion. This will offer an opportunity for people of all races to better understand Hinduism and appreciate the strength of multiculturalism in Singapore, Dinesh said.
SGAT’s design will differ from the architectural style of many existing Hindu temples in Singapore, which are often marked by towering gopurams (ornamental entrance towers). It will take inspiration from the traditional Kerala gable, a design that facilitates natural airflow while maintaining a distinctive aesthetic.
The temple will also have an annex building, featuring a multi-purpose hall and event spaces to host cultural, educational and social outreach programmes. These facilities will support community-building initiatives such as interfaith collaboration and food distribution.
Singapore is a multi-national community of over six million, with Indians accounting for about over seven per cent, Chinese-origin 75 per cent, Malays 15 per cent and others from the rest of the world.
