Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Sri Munneswaran Temple
13) Sri Munneswaran temple
It was near evening when we crossed over from the church to the Indian temple next door. The temple was open for the evening prayers. There was some construction work going on though, therefore the main door was not open.
It was near evening when we crossed over from the church to the Indian temple next door. The temple was open for the evening prayers. There was some construction work going on though, therefore the main door was not open.
The temple’s humble origins begin from 1932, when the Malayan Railway began. Originally known as the Munniandy temple, it was created by the Hindu employees working on the railway. Back then it began with just a stone planted with the spear, under a banyan tree. It became a spot for all to congregate and pray. Soon it gave way to a modest hut, which housed the spear and the stone. Soon enough a working committee was set up and headed by Mr Dharmalingam, who decided to register the temple as an organization to build and administer the temple. On the 1st march, 1967 it was officially registered and the Indian community in Queenstown was able to rally for support in funding the building of the temple. To build the temple, permission had to be sought from the Malayan Railway authority, as the temple currently stood on their land. True enough after walking away from the temple, we were able to recognize the original place, as we saw the old railway track still remaining there.
With the cost of $7000, Hindu members of Queenstown were able to draw up sufficient funds, which saw the completion of the temple in 1969. Though permission was obtained to build the temple, and it was accorded the temporary occupation permit, it had to give way to the widening of the Queensway road project, and had to be built in a different location. This new site was along common wealth drive next to the Damien hall and was purchased from the HDB. With $2,000,000 the new temple was completed in 1998, complete with the consecration ceremony. A newly added feature of the temple would be the multi-purpose wedding hall that they built next to the temple.
It is clear that this indeed a community-driven temple, given its background, and you can really feel the community spirit within the temple. However due to time constraints we couldn’t spend more time at the temple, and had to move on to our next location. Truth be told, this particular heritage site didn’t quite affect me like the church before this. Perhaps I was still in awe of the previous one. Nevertheless, I was glad to be aware of the significance of the temple. I believe that at times, its narratives and stories like this that anchors our present, in terms of adding historical significance and meaning to our Indian community here in Singapore.
With the cost of $7000, Hindu members of Queenstown were able to draw up sufficient funds, which saw the completion of the temple in 1969. Though permission was obtained to build the temple, and it was accorded the temporary occupation permit, it had to give way to the widening of the Queensway road project, and had to be built in a different location. This new site was along common wealth drive next to the Damien hall and was purchased from the HDB. With $2,000,000 the new temple was completed in 1998, complete with the consecration ceremony. A newly added feature of the temple would be the multi-purpose wedding hall that they built next to the temple.
It is clear that this indeed a community-driven temple, given its background, and you can really feel the community spirit within the temple. However due to time constraints we couldn’t spend more time at the temple, and had to move on to our next location. Truth be told, this particular heritage site didn’t quite affect me like the church before this. Perhaps I was still in awe of the previous one. Nevertheless, I was glad to be aware of the significance of the temple. I believe that at times, its narratives and stories like this that anchors our present, in terms of adding historical significance and meaning to our Indian community here in Singapore.
2:52 AM By PUNITHA