Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, Singapore

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Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple is an ornate Hindu temple along busy Serangoon Road in Little India, Singapore. It began as a small shrine set up by the Tamils living in Potong Pasir, who wanted a temple to worship the Hindu mother goddess and to sustain their cultural heritage. Vadapathira Kaliamman is the same deity as Sri Mariamman, the mother goddess. The name means "the pure-as-fire protective motherly spirit of the north".

Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple (10 July 2006)
© Timothy Tye

The Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple was developed under the leadership of Rengasamy Murier, Murugaiyan, Samiappan and Vairappan Thevar. Initially, it was just a small shed at Upper Serangoon Road. Management of the temple eventually passed to B. Govindasamy Chettiar, the pioneer labour contractor to the Port of Singapore, who is a philanthropist and Indian community leader. He managed the Indian Labour Company which supplies Indian labourers such as stevedores, lightermen and other wharf worker to the harbour. At one time, he had 3500 Indian workers under his employment, in addition to Chinese coolies. He developed it into a proper temple.

Before B. Govindasamy Chettiar passed away, he requested through his nephew and son-in-law, the late SL Perumal, that a main tower, or rajakopuram be built, and other additions made to the temple. This was carried out by SL Perumal at his own expense.

Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple (10 July 2006)
© Timothy Tye

Contact

Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple
555 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218174
Tel: 6298 5053
Fax: 6297 2994
E-mail: pathrakali@pacific.net.sg

Getting there

You may visit this place as part of the Little India Walking Tour. To come here direct, the nearest MRT station is the Farrer Park MRT Station (NE8) .