Hindu Temples of Singapore : A Spiritual Journey

About the book : Singapore, one of the world’s most visited cities, draws people for the manner in which culture, innovation, nature and adventure blend to provide an amazing experience of covering iconic landmarks, cultural neighbourhoods, family-friendly attractions and immersive indoor sights. It is also known for its futuristic skyline, green spaces, cleanliness and strict laws. Singapore’s heritage is a vibrant multi-cultural blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influencesand is rich in culture, cuisine, history and architecture. At the heart of this island-state are the numerous Hindu temples which dot the landscape. These ancient places of worship with their colourful Gopurams, intricate carvings, ornate architecture and sacred artefacts are not only testaments to the region’s rich history and artistic heritage but also vibrant centres of spiritual practice and community life. It is a tribute to the people of Singapore and to those who are responsible for the management of these temples that these places of worship have been conserved very well with the original structure remaining intact while at the same time, modern facilities and amenities have been added for the convenience of the devotees. From the temples with colourful Gopurams to the vibrant festivals that bring the community together, Singapore is a place where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly. This book invites readers to embark on a journey through the landscapes, cultures and traditions of Singapore and to the vibrant temples to explore their history, architecture, art and spiritual significance. From the majestic Sri Mariamman temple with its lovely Rajagopuram to Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple, one of the oldest Vaishnavite shrines, each of these temples has a unique story to tell and a profound sense of history within its walls. Through a detailed description and photographs, I invite you to experience the beauty, resilience and warmth of the incredible region and a peek into the fascinating world of Singapore’s temples. Whether you are a seasoned traveller or an armchair adventurer, I hope that this book will inspire you to explore the wonderful temples of Singapore. The book presents a brief history of each of the temples besides giving details of the shrines and festivals celebrated. This pictorial travelogue covers all the 34 temples in Singapore, big and small and includes the ancient temples as well as the newly constructed ones. About the Author : Jagadeesan Krishnan has travelled extensively across the Himalayas for over forty years. An auditor by profession and an intrepid traveller, he has always chosen the hard and hazardous on his journeys across the vast sub-continent that is India. A heritage enthusiast, he loves to visit lesser known places which are historically important. His many adventurous trips include stays with a Sadhu at the Amarnath Cave in Kashmir and at Tapovan in the Garhwal Himalayas besides visiting and documenting temples in Tamil Nadu and monasteries at Nubra Valley in Ladakh and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. His travels which have been made into books include “Travels in Malnad and Coastal Regions of Karnataka”, “Walks through India’s first World Heritage City of Ahmedabad”, “A Day at the Kumbha Mela, 2019 at Prayagraj”, “Nava Kailasam : Nine Shiva Temples along the Thamirabarani”, “Glimpses of Ladakh : High Mountain Passes and Monasteries” and “The Nagarathars of Chettinad : Their Temples and Mansions”. He has completed work on the Srivaishnava 108 Divya Desam temples, a seven volume series of which the first six volumes have been published. He has started work on his next project which is the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams of Shiva. He is also working on two more books, one on temples in Bali, Indonesia and another on the North Eastern Region of India.