Little
India Singapore Photo Tour
- Lively Sri Veerama Kaliamman Temple
One of 3 prominent temples in Little India Singapore, the Sri Veerama Kaliamman Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. The temple's name means 'Kali the Courageous'. It was built in 1881 by Bengali labourers, and received a makeover in the early 1990s. It is located at the junction of Belilios Road and the arterial Serangoon Road. So you can't really miss it. |
It is open daily. However, do note
that it is closed from
12.30pm to 4pm and after
8.30pm. I stumbled upon it in the evening, which I think
is the best time to visit it.
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Above
the main entrance of the temple stands a 18m high gopuram (see picture
on the left). The gopuram is divided into storeys and covered with colourful statues. If you have the patience to follow the statues round the sides of the gopuram, you will find that they tell you a story. Many devotees continue to visit the Sri Veerama Kaliamman Temple in the evening, when its structures are beautifully lit. |
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As you
enter the temple, look up at the ceiling. There is nothing subtle here.
The colourful paintings scream for your attention. |
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Inside
the temple, a flutist and a drummer create a constant stream of music,
inviting the devotees to worship. |
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Most
of the worshippers here are Indians. This is after all Little India
Singapore. But the temple welcomes people
of all races. Here, you see a temple elder blessing an elderly Chinese man. It heartens me to see the different races in my country get along. |
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The
goddess Kali is believed to have many hands and legs - an all
conquering deity. Notice the
weapons on the hands on this statue here. |
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Little
wonder this woman pleads earnestly with the deity. You'll find this statue on the left side of the temple. |
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These
deities look alive. Obviously, only the best sculptors were hired to
work on them. Look these statues in their eyes, and feel the chill as they stare back at you. |
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The
paintwork is extremely refined and realistic. You'd be forgiven if you
mistook the clothes for real fabrics. |
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In the
evening, the gopuram is up-lit, as is the rest of the temple. Look on
for a while and enjoy its magical glow. |
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Outside
the temple, this garland seller does good
business, even into the evening. His goods include jasmine garlands, de-husked coconuts, and lime - all are items used in Hindu worship. (Do you want to know why the devotees buy these items? Find out at my Thaipusam Festival page.) |
Take another of my Little India Singapore Photo Tours:
- Tekka Centre Shops - Rare antiques, collectibles & colourful sarees!
- Tekka Centre Wet Market - Singapore's freshest seafood, meats and vegetables.
- Serangoon Road - uncountable jewellery shops, great Indian restaurants, lively temples. Also the venue of the amazing Thaipusam Singapore Festival.
- Buffalo Road and Kerbau Road - street markets, creative framemakers, exquisite sarees.
