Archive for April 2009
Page 10
Sri Mariamman Temple
Gazetted as a national monument in 1973.
The Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown is Singapore’s oldest Indian temple. It dates back to 1827 with a simple building put up by Naraina Pillai.
In the Sri Mariamman Temple one can see many statues of cows. The cow is sacred to Indians.
Next to the Sri Mariamman Temple is the Jamae Mosque, built between 1830 and 1835.
Page 9
Nagore Durgha Shrine
Gazetted as a national monument in 1974.
The Nagore Durgha Shrine was built by Indian Muslims in 1828-1830 and named in honour of Shahul Hamid Durgha of Nagore, South India.
The Nagore Durgha Shrine stands in Telok Ayer Street with three other places of worship: Thian Hock Keng Temple, Al-Abrar Mosque and Telok Ayer Methodist Church.
Page 8
Hajjah Fatimah Mosque
Gazetted as a national monument in 1973.
The Hajjah Fatimah Mosque was built in 1845-1846. Hajjah Fatimah donated the land and money for building the mosque.
The mosque has a steeple-like minaret that appears to be slanting about 6 degrees from the vertical.
The Hajjah Fatimah Mosque is a short walk away from the famous Sultan Mosque and the historic Malay heritage area of Kampong Glam.
Page 7
Abdul Gaffoor Mosque
Gazetted as a national monument in 1979.
The Abdul Gaffoor Mosque in Dunlop Street at the Rochor Canal Road end of ‘Little India’, began as a small simple mosque in 1859. Work on the present mosque began in 1907.
The Abdul Gaffoor Mosque is a short walk away from the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ophir Road and the Kwan Im Temple and the Sri Krishnan Temple in Waterloo Street.
Page 6
Hong San See Temple
Gazetted as a national monument in 1978.
The Hong San See Temple was originally in Tanjong Pagar in 1829. However, the temple was demolished for road expansion in 1907. The new temple was then built on high ground in Mohamed Sultan Road.
The Hong San See Temple, which serves the Chinese community, is a short walk away from the Sri Thendandayuthapani Temple in Tank Road.
Page 5
Thian Hock Keng Temple
Gazetted as a national monument in 1973.
The Thian Hock Keng Temple, started in 1821, is the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore.
In his temple the new immigrants from China would offer thanks for reaching Singapore safely (sea travel was very risky in those days).
The well-known philanthropist Tan Tock Seng gave the biggest donation in the building of the present temple in 1839-1842.
Page 4
Syonan Jinja – Japanese temple
Marked as a historical site in 2002
The earliest stamp showing a place of worship in Singapore featured the Japanese temple known as the Syonan Jinja. This temple was built during Japanese rule in Singapore (1942-1945).
Located in the MacRitchie Reservoir forest, visitors to the Syonan Jinja temple had to cross a 100-metre bridge. Today, only the granite components of the temple and the bridge supports remain.
