Sri Mariamman Temple in Singapore

Sri Mariamman Temple is a fine illustration of Dravidian-style architecture. It especially stands out for its gopuram (monumental tower) seen at the entrance. Flanked by the images of Lord Muruga and Lord Krishna on both sides, the gopuram consists of six tiers ornamented with the colourful sculptures of Hindu deities that are brilliantly detailed using plasterwork.

At the base of the gopuram is a doorway consisting of a pair of timber gates embellished with small golden bells. Devotees are required to ring the bell as they enter the temple. From the doorway, a covered hall leads to the main prayer hall that enshrines the deity of Mariamman, along with the images of Lord Rama and Lord Muruga.

The ceiling and opulent columns are graced with vivid paintings. Shrines devoted to deities such as Ganesh, Mathurai Veeran, Durga, and Draupadi bounds the main prayer hall. Of these, perhaps the most noteworthy is the shrine of Draupadi together with the Pandavas and Lord Krishna. Each shrine is housed within a structure traditionally referred to as Vimana, which in turn resembles a pavilion.

The temple is thronged by devotees during the Thimithi Festival whose highlight is a firewalking ceremony in which people stride barefoot over a bed of blazing coals. It is usually celebrated a week prior to Deepavali in October or November. Further, as per the Hindu tradition, the temple is reconsecrated once every 12 years.

You can find the temple on the corner of Chinatown’s South Bridge Road at Pagoda Street. Sri Mariamman Temple is also known by different names such as Gothanda Ramaswamy Mariamman Temple and the Sithi Vinayagar. There is also a Mariamman Temple in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.