Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple - Singapore

Address

Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple – Singapore

555 Serangoon Rd,

Singapore 218174

Amman

Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman

Introduction

Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple is located on Serangoon Road of Little India. It is dedicated to Vadapathira and Kaliamman deities, the female counterpart to the Brihadeeswarar Temple located in Thanjavur of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. People come to offer prayers to other Gods and Goddesses like Shiva, Hanuman, Ganesha, Kuber along with other deities of Southern India in the Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple.

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to have started around 1830s with a picture of the goddess, under a tree near the current site of the temple. The presiding deity, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman is believed to originate from Sri Nisumbha Soodhani , worshipped by Chola kings as the family goddess for protection during war. The goddess was often recognized as the female counterpart to Brihadeeshwarar temple in Thanjavur. The goddess is also referred to as Rahukala Kaliamman or as Vada Bhadra Kaliamman, hence the reference to the goddess. In 1984, the temple underwent renovation and held a 48 days consecration ceremony. The renovation included two 4.2m statues of Garuda and Hanuman, said to be the first in Singapore and also Asia, at the entrance of the temple. The 6th Maha Kumbabishegam for Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple was held on 9 December 2016 bringing in additional deities like Jambulingeswarar (Lord Shiva), Akhilandeswari, Chandikeswarar, Navagraham, Swarnakrashna Bhairavar, Lakshmi Kuberar, Lakshmi Narasimar, Nandikeswarar and Veerabathirar.

Special Features

The mandapam houses the main deity of Kali which is flacked between two smaller shrines of Ganesha and Murugan, the sons of Shiva. On the left, the Mandapam has a colonnade of several other statues. The main highlight of the temple is the elaborate Vimana, a stepped pyramid-shaped tower over the main shrine found in South Indian temples. Due to its height, the tower is visible even from a distance that allows devotees to pray from afar, without having to enter the temple.