1 / 29
Sri Sivan Temple Singapore
24 Geylang East Avenue 2, Singapore 389752, Singapore
Sri Sivan Temple, whose roots date to an 1850s attap shrine in Orchard Road, stands today in Geylang as the city’s primary Saiva Siddhanta temple featuring a rare octagonal sanctum, modern gopuram, and roof skylights that bathe Sri Kariamman and Sri Sivan in natural light ([1][2]). The current complex, consecrated in 1993 and managed by the Hindu Endowments Board, opens daily 6:30 AM-12:00 PM and 6:00 PM-9:00 PM with six daily puja kalam: Kala Shanthi, Uchikalam, Sayarakshai, Arthajama, and special pradosham rites; the prasadam hall and courtyard serve vegetarian meals, while classrooms host Saiva Siddhanta, Tamil, music, and yoga lessons. The temple is celebrated for its annual Maha Sivarathiri (overnight vigil), Panguni Uthiram, Pradosham, and Navaratri, and for its second-storey columbarium, a unique adaptation supporting contemporary Hindu funerary practices. Community services include annadhanam, counselling, legal aid, health screenings, and seniors’ programmes orchestrated with People’s Association and Health Promotion Board. During COVID-19, the temple provided virtual darshan, vaccination outreach, and relief parcels for vulnerable residents. Integrated AV systems, livestream studios, LED relighting, BMS climate controls, and CCTV sustain safe operations, while heritage tours highlight the temple’s evolution from Orchard Road to Dhoby Ghaut and finally Geylang, mapping Singapore’s urban transformation ([1][3]).
Year Built
1993 CE
Period
Post-Independence Period
Architectural Style
Contemporary Octagonal Saiva Temple Architecture with Dravidian Motifs
Built By
Hindu Endowments Board (Successor to Ragunatha Pillai Trust)
Material Used
Reinforced Concrete, Granite, Brickwork, Lime Plaster, Stucco, Copper Kalashas, Structural Steel, Glass Skylights
Heritage Status
Registered Place of Worship within Geylang Planning Area
Sri Sivan Temple Singapore
overview
Overview data: 94% complete
Heritage Overview
Temple
Sri Sivan Temple Singapore
Sri Sivan Temple, whose roots date to an 1850s attap shrine in Orchard Road, stands today in Geylang as the city’s primary Saiva Siddhanta temple featuring a rare octagonal sanctum, modern gopuram, and roof skylights that bathe Sri Kariamman and Sri Sivan in natural light ([1][2]). The current complex, consecrated in 1993 and managed by the Hindu Endowments Board, opens daily 6:30 AM-12:00 PM and 6:00 PM-9:00 PM with six daily puja kalam: Kala Shanthi, Uchikalam, Sayarakshai, Arthajama, and special pradosham rites; the prasadam hall and courtyard serve vegetarian meals, while classrooms host Saiva Siddhanta, Tamil, music, and yoga lessons. The temple is celebrated for its annual Maha Sivarathiri (overnight vigil), Panguni Uthiram, Pradosham, and Navaratri, and for its second-storey columbarium, a unique adaptation supporting contemporary Hindu funerary practices. Community services include annadhanam, counselling, legal aid, health screenings, and seniors’ programmes orchestrated with People’s Association and Health Promotion Board. During COVID-19, the temple provided virtual darshan, vaccination outreach, and relief parcels for vulnerable residents. Integrated AV systems, livestream studios, LED relighting, BMS climate controls, and CCTV sustain safe operations, while heritage tours highlight the temple’s evolution from Orchard Road to Dhoby Ghaut and finally Geylang, mapping Singapore’s urban transformation ([1][3]).
Location
24 Geylang East Avenue 2, Singapore 389752, Singapore(Singapore)
Year Built
1993 CE
Heritage Status
Registered Place of Worship within Geylang Planning Area
Visit Information
Visiting Hours
Daily 6:30 AM-12:00 PM & 6:00 PM-9:00 PM; Maha Sivarathiri overnight vigil; guided tours Sundays 11:30 AM (advance booking); multi-purpose hall and classrooms 9:00 AM-10:00 PM; annadhanam daily 12:30 PM ([1][3]).
Entry Fee
Entry free; guided tour donation S$12; hall hire via temple office; special puja and columbarium services priced per rites ([1]).
Website
https://www.sivam.org.sg/Citation References
Sri Sivan Temple
Sri Sivan TempleAccessed 2025-11-09
Roots.sg: Sri Sivan Temple
National Heritage Board SingaporeAccessed 2025-11-09
Sri Sivan Temple Redevelopment Programme
Hindu Endowments BoardAccessed 2025-11-09
Heritage Status
Registered Place of Worship within Geylang Planning Area
Preservation Status
Excellent; HEB inspections (2018, 2023) confirm sound structure, maintained finishes, and reliable MEP infrastructure with minor stucco repainting scheduled ([3]).
Historical Context
Temple established 1850s Orchard Road, relocated to new Dhoby Ghaut structure 1909, shifted to Geylang 1983, and rebuilt with octagonal sanctum and community facilities 1993; subsequent expansions (2008, 2018) introduced multi-purpose hall, columbarium, and energy-efficient upgrades ([1][2]).
Architectural Details
Contemporary Octagonal Saiva Temple Architecture with Dravidian Motifs
Post-Independence Period
Built by
Hindu Endowments Board (Successor to Ragunatha Pillai Trust)
Materials
Reinforced Concrete, Granite, Brickwork, Lime Plaster, Stucco, Copper Kalashas, Structural Steel, Glass Skylights
Dimensions
Height16m
Width35m
Length60m
Area5400m²
Location Map
Featured Images
Restoration Work
Major projects: 1993 new temple completion, 2008 granite flooring and LED upgrade, 2014 columbarium expansion, 2018 multi-purpose hall and sustainability retrofit ([1][3]).
Patronage
Hindu Endowments Board Singapore
Construction Technique
The 1993 temple is a modern reinterpretation of the earlier Dhoby Ghaut shrine: an octagonal garbhagriha constructed from reinforced concrete and granite cladding, surrounded by covered corridors and a five-tier rajagopuram adorned with stucco deities ([1][2]). The octagon is symbolic of Shiva’s eight forms; its granite-clad walls sit on a reinforced podium with concealed services. The main hall spans 800 square metres with reinforced concrete columns, steel roof trusses, and clerestory windows; gopuram sculptures were carved in India, shipped modularly, and affixed via stainless dowels and lime mortar. Upgrades in 2008 and 2018 introduced granite flooring, LED lighting, and a multi-purpose hall with classrooms, offices, and columbarium, constructed using steel beams, composite slabs, and curtainwalls. Mechanical systems deliver chilled water air-conditioning, energy recovery ventilation, and UV-treated water for rituals through underfloor channels, preserving the temple’s serene aesthetic while meeting modern codes ([1][3]).
Architectural Influences
3 items
Building Techniques
Sthapathis employed prefabricated granite panels, lime plaster, stucco restoration techniques, stainless anchoring, modular scaffolds, concealed HVAC ducts, and smart BMS controls to manage climate and lighting across sanctum, halls, and columbarium while ensuring ritual purity and architectural integrity ([1][3]).
Coordinates
1.314600, 103.887000
Accessibility Info
{"notes":"Security screening during major festivals; modest attire required; footwear removed before main hall; photography restricted in sanctum ([1][3])","restrooms":"Accessible restrooms and ablution facilities on each floor; baby-care rooms near annadhanam hall ([3])","wheelchair_accessible":"Step-free entrance, lifts to all levels, tactile signage, accessible viewing zones during festivals ([3])"}
Visitor Facilities
8 items
Best Visit Times
Visit weekday mornings for peaceful darshan and rooftop meditation garden access, or Maha Sivarathiri night when continuous bhajans, homa, and devotees fill the octagonal hall ([1][2]).
Seasonal Events
8 items
Visitor Restrictions
Dress modestly; remove footwear before entering mandapa; refrain from photography in sanctum; follow volunteer guidance during festival crowd management ([1][2]).
View Count
1
Is Featured
Yes
Is Published
Yes
Completion Score
75
Completion Status
complete
Created At
2025-11-09T07:35:13.281104+00:00
Updated At
2025-11-09T12:37:09.853+00:00
Quick Overview
📅
Built InPost-Independence Period
📍
LocationSingapore
🏛️
StyleContemporary Octagonal Saiva Temple Architecture with Dravidian Motifs
🏆
StatusProtected Heritage
What is Sri Sivan Temple Singapore?
Sri Sivan Temple Singapore is a historic Temple located in Singapore, Singapore. This Contemporary Octagonal Saiva Temple Architecture with Dravidian Motifs architectural masterpiece was built during the Post-Independence Period period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of Singapore. Sri Sivan Temple, whose roots date to an 1850s attap shrine in Orchard Road, stands today in Geylang as the city’s primary Saiva Siddhanta temple featuring a rare octagonal sanctum, modern gopuram, an...
Category:
TempleLocation:
24 Geylang East Avenue 2, Singapore 389752, Singapore, SingaporePeriod:
Post-Independence PeriodStyle:
Contemporary Octagonal Saiva Temple Architecture with Dravidian MotifsKey Features of Sri Sivan Temple Singapore
- 1Contemporary Octagonal Saiva Temple Architecture with Dravidian Motifs architectural style with distinctive design elements
- 2Constructed using Reinforced Concrete, Granite, Brickwork, Lime Plaster, Stucco, Copper Kalashas, Structural Steel, Glass Skylights, showcasing traditional building techniques
- 3Built using The 1993 temple is a modern reinterpretation of the earlier Dhoby Ghaut shrine: an octagonal garbhagriha constructed from reinforced concrete and granite cladding, surrounded by covered corridors and a five-tier rajagopuram adorned with stucco deities ([1][2]). The octagon is symbolic of Shiva’s eight forms; its granite-clad walls sit on a reinforced podium with concealed services. The main hall spans 800 square metres with reinforced concrete columns, steel roof trusses, and clerestory windows; gopuram sculptures were carved in India, shipped modularly, and affixed via stainless dowels and lime mortar. Upgrades in 2008 and 2018 introduced granite flooring, LED lighting, and a multi-purpose hall with classrooms, offices, and columbarium, constructed using steel beams, composite slabs, and curtainwalls. Mechanical systems deliver chilled water air-conditioning, energy recovery ventilation, and UV-treated water for rituals through underfloor channels, preserving the temple’s serene aesthetic while meeting modern codes ([1][3]). construction methods
- 4Registered Place of Worship within Geylang Planning Area providing legal protection
- 5Commissioned by Hindu Endowments Board (Successor to Ragunatha Pillai Trust), reflecting royal patronage
- 6Current conservation status: Condition remains excellent with BMS monitoring, professional conservation, and structured volunteer stewardship ensuring resilience in a dense urban neighbourhood ([3]).
Architectural Features
- 1Pyramidal tower (Vimana) with intricate sculptural decoration
- 2Rectangular sanctum (Garbhagriha) housing the main deity
- 3Columned halls (Mandapa) for congregation and rituals
- 4Ornate gateway (Gopuram) with carved figures
What Makes Sri Sivan Temple Singapore Special?
- 1Exceptional example of Contemporary Octagonal Saiva Temple Architecture with Dravidian Motifs architecture
- 2Royal patronage by Hindu Endowments Board (Successor to Ragunatha Pillai Trust), reflecting historical significance
- 3Temple charts the history of Singapore’s Saivite community, housing the only octagonal Hindu sanctum locally, supporting funerary rites, and operating as a community assistance hub during crises ([1][2][3]).
Visitor Information
How to Visit Sri Sivan Temple Singapore
| S$Entry Fee | Entry free; guided tour donation S$12; hall hire via temple office; special puja and columbarium services priced per rites ([1]). |
| 🕐Opening Hours | Dawn to Dusk (6 AM - 6 PM) |
| 📅Best Time to Visit | October to March (Winter) |
| ⏱️Duration | 2-3 hours |
| ♿Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
| 📸Photography | Allowed (No flash) |
Complete Visitor Guide
How to Visit Sri Sivan Temple Singapore: Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Plan Your Visit
Check opening hours and entry fees for Sri Sivan Temple Singapore. Book tickets online if available to avoid queues. Best visited during early morning or late afternoon.
- 2
Reach the Location
Sri Sivan Temple Singapore is located in 24 Geylang East Avenue 2, Singapore 389752, Singapore, Singapore. The nearest major city is 24 Geylang East Avenue 2. Accessible by road, rail, and air. Use GPS coordinates: 1.3146, 103.887.
- 3
Entry and Guidelines
Entry fee: Entry free; guided tour donation S$12; hall hire via temple office; special puja and columbarium services priced per rites ([1]).. Follow dress code for religious sites. Photography is allowed. Maintain silence and respect the heritage.
- 4
Explore the Site
Allocate 2-3 hours to fully explore Sri Sivan Temple Singapore. Key areas to visit include the main sanctum, pillared halls, and intricate carvings. Consider hiring a local guide for detailed insights.
Historical Timeline
Key Historical Events
Post-Independence Period
Construction of Sri Sivan Temple Singapore by Hindu Endowments Board (Successor to Ragunatha Pillai Trust)
20th Century
Conservation and restoration efforts initiated under Registered Place of Worship within Geylang Planning Area
2024-2025
Digital documentation and 3D scanning completed by Inheritage Foundation