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Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple Singapore
Temple
319 views
2002 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319260, Singapore
Added on Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Updated on Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Year Built
1872 CE
Period
Colonial Period
Architectural Style
Built By
Nattukottai Chettiar community
Patronage
Chettiar community and Tamil community
Material Used
Contributed By
Team InheritageAdded Nov 9, 2025
Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple Singapore
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Heritage Overview
Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple Singapore
Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple began as a shrine housed within a Chettiar bungalow in Sri Rangoon Road in 1872 and moved to Toa Payoh in 1982; after a S$9 million redevelopment it reopened in 2014 as a fortress-like sanctum honouring Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman, Vairavar, and Kali’s fierce retinue through towering stucco guardians, alternating crimson-white façade stripes, and a granite-clad mandapa crowned by a 20-metre gopuram ([1][2]). The temple opens 7:00 AM-12:00 PM and 6:00 PM-9:30 PM, with elaborate homa for Vairavar, Rahu-Ketu, and Navagraha performed weekly, while Vaigasi Visakam, Aadi Pooram, Navaratri, Sivarathiri, and Panguni Uthiram festivals feature kavadi, urumi drumming, and cultural programmes. Worshippers access education and welfare services—including annadhanam, Tamil/Bharatanatyam/Carnatic classes, yoga, counselling, and seniors’ clubs—within a six-storey complex housing classrooms, hostel rooms, a heritage gallery, and multi-purpose halls. The temple works with the Hindu Endowments Board, People’s Association, and grassroots organisations to support migrant worker outreach, medical screenings, blood drives, and environmental campaigns. A central courtyard with sacred neem and bilva trees, rooftop meditation decks, and VRF air-conditioning underscores the integration of Dravidian sacred geometry with Singaporean urban design. The temple employs CCTV, BMS, and safe-entry protocols to steward large festivals and now doubles as a community resilience hub for Toa Payoh residents ([1][3]).
Historical Context
Temple founded 1872 in Sri Rangoon Road; rebuilt 1930; relocated to Balestier (1943) and Toa Payoh (1982); major redevelopment 2010-2014 delivered the current multi-storey complex with heritage gallery and welfare facilities; temple has provided wartime refuge, pandemic support, and interfaith outreach throughout its history ([1][2]).
Location Map
Visit Information
Visiting Hours
Temple: 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Daily.
Morning Pooja: 7:00 AM, Daily.
Morning Abishegam: 7:30 AM, Daily.
Evening Pooja: 7:00 PM, Daily.
Evening Abishegam: 7:30 PM, Daily.
Entry Fee
Free for all visitors.
Best Visit Times
During major festivals like Deepavali (October-November), Navarathiri (September-October), or Thai Poosam Kavady (January-February) for vibrant celebrations and special ceremonies. Early morning (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM) or evening (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM) are ideal to experience daily poojas and avoid the midday heat in Singapore's tropical climate.
Official Website
Go to Official WebsiteArchitectural Highlights
Architectural Style
Period
Colonial Period
Influences
Dravidian Kali Temple Architecture, Fortress-Inspired Saivite Design, Urban Temple-Civic Hybrid
Heritage Status
Recognised community landmark within Toa Payoh Planning Area
Preservation Status
Excellent; 2023 Hindu Endowments Board report confirms structural robustness, conserved iconography, and reliable MEP systems; minor cyclical repainting scheduled ([3]).
Conservation Status
Condition remains excellent with rigorous maintenance, conservation oversight, and volunteer stewardship ensuring resilience to high usage and tropical climate ([3]).
Archaeological Survey
No archaeological survey information available
Featured Images
Citation References
No references recorded. Add citations to strengthen verification.
Restoration Work
Significant works: 1930 renovation, 1982 relocation and rebuild, 2010-2014 comprehensive redevelopment, 2020 LED/BMS upgrade, 2022 accessibility enhancements ([1][3]).
Patronage
Chettiar community and Tamil community
Construction Technique
The original house-shrine evolved through incremental additions before the 2010-2014 redevelopment that produced a reinforced concrete frame clad in granite, lime plaster, and stucco iconography, with a steel-core gopuram housing over 5,000 sculpted figures ([1][2]). Granite pillars, teak doors, and stucco deities were hand-carved in Tamil Nadu and installed via stainless dowels; the six-storey annex utilises reinforced concrete, composite slabs, and glass curtainwalls to create multi-purpose halls while the mandapa and sanctum maintain traditional forms. Mechanical systems include chilled water HVAC, smart lighting, and concealed ducts beneath granite floors; double-glazed windows, acoustic treatment, and vibration isolation support cultural performances without compromising temple ambience ([3]).
Architectural Influences
Dravidian Kali Temple Architecture, Fortress-Inspired Saivite Design, Urban Temple-Civic Hybrid
Building Techniques
Craftsmanship includes granite sculpting, lime plaster conservation, modular gopuram erection, stainless anchoring for stucco, concealed MEP integration, and BMS monitoring of temperature, humidity, crowd flow, and safety systems. 3D modelling and laser scanning document iconography for future conservation ([1][3]).
Coordinates
1.335010, 103.859030
Accessibility Info
2 items
Visitor Facilities
8 items
Best Visit Times
During major festivals like Deepavali (October-November), Navarathiri (September-October), or Thai Poosam Kavady (January-February) for vibrant celebrations and special ceremonies. Early morning (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM) or evening (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM) are ideal to experience daily poojas and avoid the midday heat in Singapore's tropical climate.
Seasonal Events
5 items
Visitor Restrictions
["Visitors are requested to dress modestly, ensuring shoulders and knees are covered, as a sign of respect for the sacred space.","Footwear must be removed before entering the main prayer hall and other designated sacred areas within the temple.","Photography may be restricted in certain areas, particularly during prayer times and ceremonies; it is advisable to seek permission or observe signage.","Maintain silence and reverence, especially during prayer times and religious ceremonies, to respect the spiritual atmosphere."]
View Count
319
Is Featured
Yes
Is Published
Yes
Completion Score
75
Completion Status
complete
Created By
b609c300-e3e9-42af-8d00-5125af139175
Created At
2025-11-09T07:38:33.09748+00:00
Updated At
2025-11-21T10:42:24.51649+00:00
Related Heritage Sites
What is Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple Singapore?
Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple Singapore is a historic Temple located in Singapore, Singapore. This Dravida architecture style, Contemporary Dravida architecture style, Shakta architecture style, Fortress architecture style architectural masterpiece was built during the Colonial Period period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of Singapore. Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple began as a shrine housed within a Chettiar bungalow in Sri Rangoon Road in 1872 and moved to Toa Payoh in 1982; after a S$9 million redevelopment it reopened in 2014 a...
Category:
TempleLocation:
2002 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319260, Singapore, SingaporePeriod:
Colonial PeriodStyle:
Dravida architecture style, Contemporary Dravida architecture style, Shakta architecture style, Fortress 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 Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple Singapore
- 1Dravida architecture style, Contemporary Dravida architecture style, Shakta architecture style, Fortress architecture style architectural style with distinctive design elements
- 2Constructed using ग्रेनाइट - Granāiṭa (Granite), प्रबलित कंक्रीट - Prablit Kankreet (Reinforced Concrete), ईंट का काम - Eent Kā Kām (Brickwork), चूना प्लास्टर - Chunā Plāstar (Lime Plaster), पलस्तर - Palastar (Stucco), ताम्र कलश - Tāmra Kalasha (Copper Kalashas), सागौन की लकड़ी - Sāgaun Kee Lakadee (Teak Timber), कांच की दीवार - Kānch Kee Deevaar (Glass Curtainwall), showcasing traditional building techniques
- 3Built using The original house-shrine evolved through incremental additions before the 2010-2014 redevelopment that produced a reinforced concrete frame clad in granite, lime plaster, and stucco iconography, with a steel-core gopuram housing over 5,000 sculpted figures ([1][2]). Granite pillars, teak doors, and stucco deities were hand-carved in Tamil Nadu and installed via stainless dowels; the six-storey annex utilises reinforced concrete, composite slabs, and glass curtainwalls to create multi-purpose halls while the mandapa and sanctum maintain traditional forms. Mechanical systems include chilled water HVAC, smart lighting, and concealed ducts beneath granite floors; double-glazed windows, acoustic treatment, and vibration isolation support cultural performances without compromising temple ambience ([3]). construction methods
- 4Recognised community landmark within Toa Payoh Planning Area providing legal protection
- 5Commissioned by Nattukottai Chettiar community, reflecting royal patronage
- 6Current conservation status: Condition remains excellent with rigorous maintenance, conservation oversight, and volunteer stewardship ensuring resilience to high usage and tropical climate ([3]).
What Makes Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple Singapore Special?
- 1Exceptional example of Dravida architecture style, Contemporary Dravida architecture style, Shakta architecture style, Fortress architecture style architecture
- 2Royal patronage by Nattukottai Chettiar community, reflecting historical significance
- 3The establishment of Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple in 1872 within a Chettiar bungalow on Sri Rangoon Road marked a pivotal moment for the burgeoning Tamil mercantile community in colonial Singapore. This initial shrine was not merely a place of worship but a vital anchor for the Nattukottai Chettiars, who, as financiers and traders, sought to replicate the spiritual and social structures of their homeland. The choice of a bungalow as the first sacred space reflects the pragmatic yet deeply devotional spirit of these early settlers, transforming domestic architecture into a locus of divine presence. The temple's subsequent rebuilding in 1930 underscored the community's growing prosperity and commitment, solidifying its institutional presence amidst Singapore's evolving urban landscape. The temple's forced relocation to Balestier in 1943, amidst the tumultuous Japanese occupation of Singapore, stands as a profound testament to its resilience and crucial societal role. During this period of immense hardship, the temple transcended its primary religious function, serving as a sanctuary and a rallying point for the Tamil community, offering solace and practical support to those displaced and suffering. This historical episode highlights the temple's enduring capacity to adapt and provide continuity during periods of severe disruption. The later move to Toa Payoh in 1982, driven by urban redevelopment, further illustrates its dynamic journey, mirroring the broader historical shifts and demographic changes within Singapore's Indian diaspora, yet maintaining its spiritual core across different locales.
Visitor Information
How to Visit Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman 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 Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple Singapore: Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Plan Your Visit
Check opening hours and entry fees for Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple Singapore. Book tickets online if available to avoid queues. Best visited during early morning or late afternoon.
- 2
Reach the Location
Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple Singapore is located in 2002 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319260, Singapore, Singapore. The nearest major city is 2002 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh. Accessible by road, rail, and air. Use GPS coordinates: 1.33501, 103.85903.
- 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 Vairavimada 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 Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple Singapore by Nattukottai Chettiar community
20th Century
Conservation and restoration efforts initiated under Recognised community landmark within Toa Payoh Planning Area
2024-2025
Digital documentation and 3D scanning completed by Inheritage Foundation