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Sri Sivan Temple Singapore
Temple
218 views
24 Geylang East Avenue 2, Singapore 389752, Singapore
Added on Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Updated on Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Year Built
1993 CE
Period
Post-Independence Period
Architectural Style
Built By
Ragunatha Pillai
Patronage
Hindu Endowments Board Singapore
Material Used
Contributed By
Team InheritageAdded Nov 9, 2025
Sri Sivan Temple Singapore
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Heritage Overview
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]).
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]).
Location Map
Visit Information
Visiting Hours
Temple: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Daily.
Pooja Timings: 6:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 6:30 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, Daily.
Entry Fee
Free for all visitors.
Best Visit Times
During major festivals like Maha Sivarathiri (Feb/Mar), Navarathiri (Sep/Oct), or Thai Poosam (Jan/Feb) for vibrant celebrations and special ceremonies. Early morning (6:00 AM - 8:00 AM) or evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM) for a peaceful darshan and to witness the daily pooja ceremonies. Singapore's tropical climate is warm and humid year-round, so early mornings offer slightly cooler temperatures.
Official Website
Go to Official WebsiteArchitectural Highlights
Architectural Style
Period
Post-Independence Period
Influences
Saiva Siddhanta Temple Architecture, Octagonal Sanctum Design, Modern Singaporean Temple Typology
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]).
Conservation Status
Condition remains excellent with BMS monitoring, professional conservation, and structured volunteer stewardship ensuring resilience in a dense urban neighbourhood ([3]).
Archaeological Survey
No archaeological survey information available
Featured Images
Citation References
No references recorded. Add citations to strengthen verification.
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
Saiva Siddhanta Temple Architecture, Octagonal Sanctum Design, Modern Singaporean Temple Typology
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
1.318440, 103.888730
Accessibility Info
2 items
Visitor Facilities
8 items
Best Visit Times
During major festivals like Maha Sivarathiri (Feb/Mar), Navarathiri (Sep/Oct), or Thai Poosam (Jan/Feb) for vibrant celebrations and special ceremonies. Early morning (6:00 AM - 8:00 AM) or evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM) for a peaceful darshan and to witness the daily pooja ceremonies. Singapore's tropical climate is warm and humid year-round, so early mornings offer slightly cooler temperatures.
Seasonal Events
10 items
Visitor Restrictions
["Devotees are requested to be appropriately and modestly dressed when visiting the Temple, covering shoulders and knees.","Footwear must be removed before entering the main temple premises and prayer halls.","Photography inside the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) is generally prohibited to maintain sanctity.","Visitors are requested to maintain silence and respect the sanctity of the temple, especially during prayer times."]
View Count
218
Is Featured
Yes
Is Published
Yes
Completion Score
75
Completion Status
complete
Created By
b609c300-e3e9-42af-8d00-5125af139175
Created At
2025-11-09T07:35:13.281104+00:00
Updated At
2025-11-21T10:42:24.51649+00:00
Related Heritage Sites
What is Sri Sivan Temple Singapore?
Sri Sivan Temple Singapore is a historic Temple located in Singapore, Singapore. This Dravida architecture style, Saiva architecture style, Octagonal Temple architecture style, Singaporean Hindu architecture style 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:
Dravida architecture style, Saiva architecture style, Octagonal Temple architecture style, Singaporean Hindu architecture styleArchitectural 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
Key Features of Sri Sivan Temple Singapore
- 1Dravida architecture style, Saiva architecture style, Octagonal Temple architecture style, Singaporean Hindu architecture style architectural style with distinctive design elements
- 2Constructed using शिला - Shilā (Granite), इष्टिका - Ishtikā (Brickwork), चूना प्लास्टर - Chunā Plāstar (Lime Plaster), लेप - Lepa (Stucco), ताम्र कलश - Tāmra Kalasha (Copper Kalashas), संरचनात्मक इस्पात - Sanrachnātmak Ispāt (Structural Steel), सीमेंट कंक्रीट - Sīmeṇṭ Kaṅkrīṭ (Reinforced Concrete), कांच स्काईलाईट - Kān̄ca Skā'īlā'īṭa (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 Ragunatha Pillai, 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]).
What Makes Sri Sivan Temple Singapore Special?
- 1Exceptional example of Dravida architecture style, Saiva architecture style, Octagonal Temple architecture style, Singaporean Hindu architecture style architecture
- 2Royal patronage by Ragunatha Pillai, reflecting historical significance
- 3The genesis of Sri Sivan Temple in the 1850s as an attap shrine on Orchard Road represents a foundational moment for Hindu institutionalization in colonial Singapore. This humble establishment served as a crucial spiritual anchor for the burgeoning South Indian immigrant community, primarily labourers and merchants, who sought to maintain their cultural and religious identity in a foreign land. Its initial location, then known as "Government Hill," underscores its organic emergence from the needs of a diaspora, predating formal religious endowments. The subsequent relocation to Dhoby Ghaut in 1909, driven by urban development pressures, marked a significant architectural upgrade and a formalization of its presence, reflecting the growing stability and organizational capacity of the Hindu community in the early 20th century. The temple's forced relocation to Geylang in 1983, necessitated by the Singaporean government's land acquisition for urban redevelopment, constituted a pivotal challenge and an opportunity for the community. This event spurred the ambitious rebuilding project culminating in the 1993 consecration, transforming the temple into a modern, comprehensive spiritual complex. The design, featuring a rare octagonal sanctum, was a conscious effort to blend traditional Dravida architectural principles with contemporary urban planning, creating a distinct landmark. This rebuilding phase, under the patronage of the Hindu Endowments Board and guided by figures like Ragunatha Pillai, solidified its status as a primary Saiva Siddhanta institution, capable of serving a rapidly evolving diaspora and preserving its heritage for future generations.
Visitor Information
How to Visit Sri Sivan Temple Singapore
| S$Entry Fee | Free for all visitors. |
| 🕐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: 1.31844, 103.88873.
- 3
Entry and Guidelines
Entry fee: Free for all visitors.. 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 Ragunatha Pillai
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