Very pretty traditional temple just the way it should be no fancy Ness
Rajan Natrajan
5
I would give this temple a 6* if possible. It is serene calm and peaceful especially in the early morning till around 8:30. Pray with devotion and full faith and the Goddess will truly bless you. There is a commanding aura and beauty about the idol. It is a must for all Hindus. Please do visit, it is also historically significant being the first point of congregation for Hindus who arrived here from India over 200 years ago.
Santhosh Kumar Sundharesan
5
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A Spiritual Gem in the Heart of Chinatown!
Visiting the Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown was an unforgettable experience! This is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, and it stands as a beautiful blend of history, culture, and spirituality. The intricate carvings, vibrant colors, and traditional Dravidian architecture make it a stunning sight to behold. As soon as you enter, the peaceful and divine atmosphere brings a sense of calm and positivity.
The temple is well-maintained, and visitors are respectfully welcomed. You can truly feel the devotion and energy during the prayers and rituals. It’s a must-visit for both tourists and locals interested in heritage and spirituality.
🌸 Nearby Highlights:
Just steps away, Chinatown Street Market offers a lively shopping and food scene with traditional Chinese items, souvenirs, and delicious street food like satay, dim sum, and local desserts. Don’t miss the nearby Buddha Tooth Relic Temple – equally awe-inspiring and serene.
Whether you're exploring culture, seeking spiritual vibes, or just enjoying a vibrant part of Singapore, this area is the perfect spot. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the city! 🙏✨
Carla Pilar Rojas
5
It’s such a beautiful place, everything is full with detail and people from the temple is very welcoming.
Really good location.
You must enter without shoes and covering shoulders and knees, if not they have clothes for free.
C C
5
As I stepped into Singapore’s Chinatown, the vibrant chaos of the streets gave way to an unexpected marvel: the Sri Mariamman Temple, a Dravidian gem pulsing with history since 1827. Founded by Naraina Pillai, a Tamil clerk who arrived with Stamford Raffles, this is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, a sanctuary dedicated to Mariamman, the goddess revered for curing diseases like cholera—a pressing need in the swampy colonial days. Its gopuram, a six-tiered tower exploding with colorful deities and mythical beasts, looms over South Bridge Road, a beacon of Tamil culture amid Chinese shophouses.
Wandering barefoot inside (shoes off, as tradition demands), I marveled at a little-known fact: the original deity, Sinna Amman, installed by Pillai nearly two centuries ago, still graces the main sanctum. The temple’s early days were humble—wood and attap—until Indian convict labor rebuilt it in brick by 1843. A granite slab near the entrance whispers another rare tale: in 1831, an Indian landowner, Seshasalam Pillai, donated land to expand the grounds, a quiet act of generosity etched in stone.
The air hummed with anticipation as I learned of the Theemithi firewalking festival, held annually in October or November. Devotees stride across burning coals to honor Draupadi from the Mahabharata, a ritual drawing crowds to the elevated gallery added in recent years. Less known is the temple’s past as a refuge for new immigrants, offering shelter and even serving as Singapore’s first Hindu marriage registry.
As I traced the mandapa’s frescoed ceilings, I felt the weight of its dual role: a spiritual haven and a social anchor. Nearby Pagoda Street, named for the gopuram’s pagoda-like silhouette, buzzed with life, a reminder of how this temple weaves itself into Singapore’s multicultural tapestry—a traveler’s treasure worth seeking out.