The Sri Thendayuthapani started as a small shrine in the 19’s century Singapore. Today, it’s one of the most magnificent temples in the city and an important monument to its long cultural heritage.

In the mid-1800s, a fairly large number of newcomers to Singapore arrived from the region of India called Chettinad. A lot of them were merchants and bankers by trade who fit very well into the commercial scene of the cosmopolitan melting pot. The Chettiars, as they were called, built a small temple to observe Hindu holidays, which over time grew into the splendid piece of architecture we know.

Just like back then, today the Sri Thendayuthapani temple often attracts massive processions of people who come to celebrate together. The place is at its most active during the holiday of Thaipusam, an important occasion in Southeast Asia. The tradition is observed by devotees of other religions as well, who come to fulfil their wows together – one of the most heart-warming sights in modern Singapore, that is definitely something to look forward to seeing again once the world goes through the current health crisis.