Central Sikh Temple- Singapore

Address

Central Sikh Temple- 2nd Towner Rd, Singapore 327804

Deity

Guru Nanak Ji

Introduction

• Location:
  • First Sikh gurdwara in Singapore.
  • Established in 1912; currently situated at Towner Road, near Boon Keng MRT station.
  • Known as Wada Gurdrawa, meaning “Big Temple.”
• Community Role:
  • Main place of worship for approximately 15,000 Sikhs in Singapore.

Puranic Significance

• Historical Background:
  • Post-1849, after the British conquest of Punjab, many Punjabis migrated overseas, including to Singapore.
  • British recruited Sikh migrants as security forces for the Straits Settlements.
  • Sikhs began arriving in 1881, forming a Sikh Contingent for the police force.
• Establishment:
  • The first gurdwara was set up in the police barracks but quickly became inadequate for the growing community.
  • In 1912, a bungalow was purchased for a new temple at Queen Street, with the help of Sindhi merchant Wassiamull.
  • The temple became known as Central Sikh Temple as other gurdwaras were established.
• Reconstruction:
  • The temple was reconstructed in 1921, featuring a congregation hall on the first floor and other facilities on the ground floor.
  • Gurdwaras traditionally provide food and lodging for guests.
  • Besides being a worship space, the temple offered welfare and education services.
• Anniversary Opening:
  • The new temple was inaugurated in November 1987, coinciding with the 518th anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru.

Special Features

• Facilities:
  • Accommodates the entire Sikh community, serving as the main religious and community temple.
  • Features a seven-storey slab tower for community facilities.
  • Main facilities located at the Sikh Centre on Jalan Bukit Merah.
• Awards:
  • The building won the SIA Architectural Design Award for the entrance canopy/gateway in 1986.
• Prayer Hall:
  • A large, column-free, air-conditioned, and fully carpeted prayer hall situated under a 13m high dome.
  • Second floor accommodates 400-500 sitting and 1,500 standing people.
• Design:
  • Separated from busy traffic on Serangoon Road by three external sides, with an internal wall opening to a decorative pool.
  • The dining hall and kitchen are located on the first floor, and a sub-basement car park has 50 lots.
• Tower Facilities:
  • Includes a small dormitory, tourist accommodation, residences for up to four priests, a religious studies classroom, a library, and a museum dedicated to Sikhism.
  • Administrative offices are also part of the facilities.
• Construction Materials:
  • Built with Sardinian pink granite, various marbles (including Perlato Royal, Sepergiante, Crema Marfil, and Botticino).
  • The dome features white, grey, and gold mosaics on the interior and white mosaic tiles on the exterior.
• Architectural Style:
  • The design is modern, with a traditional-style dome.

Century/Period/Age

1912

Nearest Bus Station

Towner Road

Nearest Railway Station

Boon Keng MRT station

Nearest Airport

Singapore Changi Airport

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