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Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple Singapore
555 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218174, Singapore
Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, founded in 1930 as a shrine beneath a banyan tree and rebuilt in 1964 and 2016, honours the fearsome goddess Vada Bhadra Kaliamman and functions as Little India’s primary Sakti temple with a six-tier rajagopuram, 16-pillared granite mandapa, and newly consecrated Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar sanctum ([1][2]). The temple opens 6:00 AM-12:00 PM and 6:00 PM-9:30 PM, with six daily pujas, weekly Rahu-Ketu homa, and elaborate Navaratri, Aadi Pooram, and Panguni Uthiram festivals featuring chariot processions and cultural performances curated by the Hindu Endowments Board. Programmes include annadhanam, music and dance schools, yoga, meditation, counselling, legal aid, and youth leadership workshops in the multi-storey annex with classrooms, library, daycare, and roof gardens. During the 2016 $4 million rejuvenation, artisans from Tamil Nadu refreshed stucco iconography, swapped the old vimana for a gilded copper kalash tower, and introduced Singapore’s first granite-carved 12-foot-high guardian statues, while engineers upgraded drainage, HVAC, lighting, CCTV, and accessibility. The temple partners with SCDF, SPF, and social service agencies for emergency drills, blood drives, and aid to low-income residents, ensuring the goddess’s abode remains both a devotional haven and a civic anchor in Serangoon ([1][3]).
Year Built
1930 CE
Period
Colonial Period
Architectural Style
Contemporary Dravidian Temple Architecture with Granite Mandapa
Built By
Thondy Ponnusamy Pillai and Early Indian Immigrants
Material Used
Granite, Reinforced Concrete, Brickwork, Lime Plaster, Stucco, Copper Kalashas, Teak Timber, Ceramic Tile
Heritage Status
Recognised heritage site within Little India (Urban Redevelopment Authority)
Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple Singapore
overview
Overview data: 94% complete
Heritage Overview
Temple
Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple Singapore
Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, founded in 1930 as a shrine beneath a banyan tree and rebuilt in 1964 and 2016, honours the fearsome goddess Vada Bhadra Kaliamman and functions as Little India’s primary Sakti temple with a six-tier rajagopuram, 16-pillared granite mandapa, and newly consecrated Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar sanctum ([1][2]). The temple opens 6:00 AM-12:00 PM and 6:00 PM-9:30 PM, with six daily pujas, weekly Rahu-Ketu homa, and elaborate Navaratri, Aadi Pooram, and Panguni Uthiram festivals featuring chariot processions and cultural performances curated by the Hindu Endowments Board. Programmes include annadhanam, music and dance schools, yoga, meditation, counselling, legal aid, and youth leadership workshops in the multi-storey annex with classrooms, library, daycare, and roof gardens. During the 2016 $4 million rejuvenation, artisans from Tamil Nadu refreshed stucco iconography, swapped the old vimana for a gilded copper kalash tower, and introduced Singapore’s first granite-carved 12-foot-high guardian statues, while engineers upgraded drainage, HVAC, lighting, CCTV, and accessibility. The temple partners with SCDF, SPF, and social service agencies for emergency drills, blood drives, and aid to low-income residents, ensuring the goddess’s abode remains both a devotional haven and a civic anchor in Serangoon ([1][3]).
Location
555 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218174, Singapore(Singapore)
Year Built
1930 CE
Heritage Status
Recognised heritage site within Little India (Urban Redevelopment Authority)
Visit Information
Visiting Hours
Daily 6:00 AM-12:00 PM & 6:00 PM-9:30 PM; guided tours Sundays 3:00 PM; cultural classes weekdays 6:30 PM-9:30 PM; annadhanam daily 12:30 PM ([1][3]).
Entry Fee
Entry free; guided tour donation S$10; hall hire packages through temple office; special puja bookings from S$55; limited parking nearby ([1]).
Citation References
Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple
Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman TempleAccessed 2025-11-09
Roots.sg: Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple
National Heritage Board SingaporeAccessed 2025-11-09
Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple Redevelopment Report
Hindu Endowments BoardAccessed 2025-11-09
Heritage Status
Recognised heritage site within Little India (Urban Redevelopment Authority)
Preservation Status
Excellent; 2023 Hindu Endowments Board assessment confirms structural integrity, conserved stucco, and reliable MEP systems with cyclical repainting ongoing ([3]).
Historical Context
Temple founded as Valaithuthy Ponnusamy’s shrine (1930), rebuilt brick mandir (1964), major renovations (1984, 1991), and comprehensive redevelopment (2014-2016) resulting in new gopuram, sanctums, classrooms, dormitory, and technology upgrades; temple continues to support migrant welfare and interfaith cooperation ([1][2][3]).
Architectural Details
Contemporary Dravidian Temple Architecture with Granite Mandapa
Colonial Period
Built by
Thondy Ponnusamy Pillai and Early Indian Immigrants
Materials
Granite, Reinforced Concrete, Brickwork, Lime Plaster, Stucco, Copper Kalashas, Teak Timber, Ceramic Tile
Dimensions
Height19m
Width34m
Length65m
Area5200m²
Location Map
Featured Images
Restoration Work
Restorations in 1964, 1984, 1991, and 2016 addressed structural, decorative, and facility upgrades; 2016 project installed new granite floors, gopuram, Shiva-Parvati sanctum, community centre, and sustainability systems ([1][3]).
Patronage
Hindu Endowments Board Singapore
Construction Technique
The 1930 attap shrine evolved into a brick temple (1964) and the current granite-clad complex (2016) featuring reinforced concrete frames, granite mandapa floors, stucco iconography, and a steel-core gopuram; the annex uses reinforced concrete frames, composite slabs, and curtainwall glazing ([1][2]). Granite pillars and teak doors were carved in India and assembled on stainless dowels; mechanical upgrades introduced chilled water HVAC, LED lighting, and BMS controls. Drainage improvements include concealed channels and sump pumps handling monsoon rains, while the courtyard carries granite pavers with textured surfaces for kavadi bearers ([3]).
Architectural Influences
3 items
Building Techniques
Techniques include granite carving, lime plaster conservation, stainless anchoring for stucco icons, prefabricated gopuram modules, concealed MEP routing beneath granite floors, and smart BMS management of lighting, humidity, and security. Temple uses 3D scanning to document iconography for future restorations ([3]).
Coordinates
1.310900, 103.856000
Accessibility Info
{"notes":"Security checks during major festivals; modest attire required; photography restricted in sanctum; footwear removal mandated ([1][3])","restrooms":"Accessible restrooms, ablution facilities, and baby-care rooms on ground floor and annex ([3])","wheelchair_accessible":"Step-free entrance, lifts to annex floors, tactile guidance and hearing loops, dedicated seating for elders ([3])"}
Visitor Facilities
8 items
Best Visit Times
Visit weekday mornings for peaceful darshan and heritage gallery tours, or evenings during Aadi and Navaratri when bhajans, kolam, and festival processions animate Serangoon Road ([1][2]).
Seasonal Events
8 items
Visitor Restrictions
Dress modestly; remove shoes before entering mandapa; avoid photography in sanctum; follow volunteer marshals during kavadi and chariot events ([1][2]).
View Count
2
Is Featured
Yes
Is Published
Yes
Completion Score
75
Completion Status
complete
Created At
2025-11-09T07:37:46.387881+00:00
Updated At
2025-11-09T13:06:16.354+00:00
Quick Overview
📅
Built InColonial Period
📍
LocationSingapore
🏛️
StyleContemporary Dravidian Temple Architecture with Granite Mandapa
🏆
StatusProtected Heritage
What is Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple Singapore?
Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple Singapore is a historic Temple located in Singapore, Singapore. This Contemporary Dravidian Temple Architecture with Granite Mandapa architectural masterpiece was built during the Colonial Period period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of Singapore. Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, founded in 1930 as a shrine beneath a banyan tree and rebuilt in 1964 and 2016, honours the fearsome goddess Vada Bhadra Kaliamman and functions as Little India’s pri...
Category:
TempleLocation:
555 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218174, Singapore, SingaporePeriod:
Colonial PeriodStyle:
Contemporary Dravidian Temple Architecture with Granite MandapaKey Features of Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple Singapore
- 1Contemporary Dravidian Temple Architecture with Granite Mandapa architectural style with distinctive design elements
- 2Constructed using Granite, Reinforced Concrete, Brickwork, Lime Plaster, Stucco, Copper Kalashas, Teak Timber, Ceramic Tile, showcasing traditional building techniques
- 3Built using The 1930 attap shrine evolved into a brick temple (1964) and the current granite-clad complex (2016) featuring reinforced concrete frames, granite mandapa floors, stucco iconography, and a steel-core gopuram; the annex uses reinforced concrete frames, composite slabs, and curtainwall glazing ([1][2]). Granite pillars and teak doors were carved in India and assembled on stainless dowels; mechanical upgrades introduced chilled water HVAC, LED lighting, and BMS controls. Drainage improvements include concealed channels and sump pumps handling monsoon rains, while the courtyard carries granite pavers with textured surfaces for kavadi bearers ([3]). construction methods
- 4Recognised heritage site within Little India (Urban Redevelopment Authority) providing legal protection
- 5Commissioned by Thondy Ponnusamy Pillai and Early Indian Immigrants, reflecting royal patronage
- 6Current conservation status: Condition remains excellent with proactive conservation, BMS monitoring, and volunteer stewardship ensuring longevity despite heavy worship loads ([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 Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple Singapore Special?
- 1Exceptional example of Contemporary Dravidian Temple Architecture with Granite Mandapa architecture
- 2Royal patronage by Thondy Ponnusamy Pillai and Early Indian Immigrants, reflecting historical significance
- 3Temple chronicles Singapore’s Tamil Sakti worship and migrant resilience, functioning as a heritage landmark and welfare hub for Serangoon’s multicultural neighbourhood ([1][2][3]).
Visitor Information
How to Visit Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple Singapore
| S$Entry Fee | Entry free; guided tour donation S$10; hall hire packages through temple office; special puja bookings from S$55; limited parking nearby ([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 Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple Singapore: Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Plan Your Visit
Check opening hours and entry fees for Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple Singapore. Book tickets online if available to avoid queues. Best visited during early morning or late afternoon.
- 2
Reach the Location
Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple Singapore is located in 555 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218174, Singapore, Singapore. The nearest major city is 555 Serangoon Road. Accessible by road, rail, and air. Use GPS coordinates: 1.3109, 103.856.
- 3
Entry and Guidelines
Entry fee: Entry free; guided tour donation S$10; hall hire packages through temple office; special puja bookings from S$55; limited parking nearby ([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 Vadapathira Kaliamman 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
Colonial Period
Construction of Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple Singapore by Thondy Ponnusamy Pillai and Early Indian Immigrants
20th Century
Conservation and restoration efforts initiated under Recognised heritage site within Little India (Urban Redevelopment Authority)
2024-2025
Digital documentation and 3D scanning completed by Inheritage Foundation