This magnificent temple at 244 South Bridge Road is Singapore's oldest and most important Hindu temple. The original temple was built out of wood and attap by 1827 and the original brick bones of the present building were built around 1843. Convicts built the original structure in 1862, expanding a wood and thatch temple which was put up by one of Singapore's first successful Indians, businessman Narayana Pillai.The goddesses honoured here are the mother-goddess Devi and the rain goddess, Mariamman. Its doors are bedecked with bells, frescoes adorn the ceiling, a profusion of deities is carved all over its walls and there is a ethereal gallery of paintings and shrines honouring the two goddesses. One example of an Indian festival celebrated here is Thimithi, the fire-walking festival.
