Sri Krishnan Temple - Singapore

Address

Sri Krishnan Temple – Singapore

152 Waterloo St,

Singapore 187961

Moolavar

Sri Krishnan

Introduction

The Sri Krishnan Temple is one of the oldest and most significant Hindu temples in Singapore. Built in 1870, it was gazetted as a National Monument in 2014. The temple is unique for being the only South Indian temple in Singapore dedicated to Lord Krishna and his consort Rukmini. Located in the heart of Singapore, it has become an important place of worship for both the local and expatriate communities. The temple, along with the nearby Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, has contributed to the social practice known as “cross-worshipping,” where devotees of one temple also regularly worship at the other, symbolizing the spirit of unity in Singapore’s multicultural and multi-religious society.

Puranic Significance

Origins and Establishment: The Sri Krishnan Temple began as a humble shrine in 1870, founded by Hanuman Beem Singh, an immigrant and wealthy merchant who had been deported to Singapore by the British administration in India. By the late 19th century, a large Indian community had formed around the area of Bras Basah Road, Victoria Street, and Albert Street. In response to the spiritual needs of the local community, Singh placed images of Lord Vigneshwar and Lord Krishna at the foot of a banyan tree. The shrine quickly became a popular place of worship, leading to the construction of a platform to hold the image of Krishna.
Management and Growth: Singh managed the shrine until 1880, when he became too elderly to continue. Responsibility for the temple was then handed over to his son, Humna Somapah, who managed it until 1904, ensuring the temple’s continued growth and development.

Special Features

Dravidian Architectural Style: The temple is designed in the classical Dravidian architectural style, in accordance with the Agama Sastra, which guides the design and construction of Hindu temples. The structure is known for its sturdy appearance, featuring multiple pilasters and cornices. The temple’s main compound spans approximately 1,008 square meters (10,850 sq ft) and includes a mandapa (hall) of 220 square meters (2,400 sq ft), which houses the inner sanctum, or garbhagriha.
Vimana and Gopuram: The temple features a towering vimana (dome) directly over the garbhagriha, which is the sanctum housing the deity. The vimana rises to about 8 meters (26 feet), making it the tallest point of the temple and is richly decorated with statues of deities and designs in copper and gold plating. The second tallest feature is the gopuram (gateway tower), which is adorned with statues studded with semi-precious stones depicting the wedding of Padmavathi and Srinivasar, with local king Aksaraja presiding. Other statues on the gopuram depict Garuda and Anjaneyar (Hanuman), along with scenes of the Dashavatara, the ten major incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
Renovations and Upgrades: The temple underwent significant renovations, completed in 2018, which included replacing eight concrete shrines with more durable onyx sanctums, to combat the decreasing number of temple artists. The renovation also included upgrading the shrines, pillars, ceiling, and the temple dome to improve durability and preserve the temple’s grandeur for future generations.
Skylight and Interior: The temple hall is particularly notable for its skylight, which allows worshippers to look upwards and observe the dome from within the mandapa, enhancing the spiritual atmosphere and connection with the divine.

Festivals

The Sri Krishnan Temple is renowned for its vibrant celebrations of Deepavali (the Festival of Lights) and Krishna Jayanthi (the birthday of Lord Krishna). These festivals attract large crowds of devotees who gather to offer prayers, participate in rituals, and celebrate the divine presence of Lord Krishna and his consort Rukmini. The temple’s festive atmosphere adds to the spiritual experience, making it a key cultural landmark in Singapore.