Inspired by a kaleidoscope of religions, cultures, and communities, Singapore's architecture is a result of diverse influences. Churches, mosques, synagogues and temples built by Singapore's early settlers enliven our cityscape with a myriad of colours and forms. Visit these iconic places of worship to appreciate various architecture styles like vernacular, revivalist and contemporary, while gaining insights into Singapore's history and cultures.
Vernacular
Trace Singapore's roots by visiting these temples, whose architectures are directly influenced from the Indian or Chinese vernaculars.
Sri Mariamman Temple (Dravidian)
Sri Mariamman Temple, which is sure to captivate and enchant you with its fascinating history and stunning architecture. This agamic temple was built in the Dravidian style and is located at 244 South Bridge Road, in the vibrant Chinatown district and is only 3 minutes walk from the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
Sri Mariamman Temple (Dravidian), Photo by Danny Santos
The temple was established in 1827 by immigrants from the Nagapatnam and Cuddalore districts of South India, and it was originally known as Mariamman Kovil or Kling Street Temple. The temple is dedicated to the powerful Goddess Mariamman, who is renowned for her ability to cure epidemic illnesses and diseases.
As you enter the ornamental tower entrance or gopuram of the Sri Mariamman Temple, you will be transported to another world. The ornate six-tiered gopuram (grand tower entrance) on this iconic temple's façade, is built in the Dravidian style of architecture, and decorated with Hindu deities and mythological figures. Behind the main prayer hall, there are several smaller rooms with shrines honouring various deities. The oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, Sri Mariamman Temple serves as a focal point for the Hindu community, and is dedicated to Goddess Mariamman, known for her powers in curing epidemic illnesses.
The temple's founder, Mr Naraina Pillai, was a government clerk in Penang and was a leader of the Indian community in Singapore. He was inspired to build the Sri Mariamman Temple after accompanying Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, on his second visit to the island in 1819. Mr Pillai was a successful businessman who established the first brick kiln in Singapore.
Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations and redevelopments. The original structure was made of wood and attap, and a building made of plaster and brick was put up in 1843. The current temple structure, complete with intricate sculptural works reminiscent of temple architecture in India, was built in 1962.
In addition to its rich history and stunning architecture, Sri Mariamman Temple has played an important role in the community over the years. It served as a refuge for new immigrants during colonial times and was the Registry of Marriages for Hindus when only the temple was authorized to solemnize Hindu marriages.
Make sure to visit during the annual Theemithi (Fire walking ceremony) held in October/November or during other important festivals such as Navarathiri and 1008 Sankabishegam.
Sri Mariamman Temple. 244 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058793 (Near Chinatown MRT station)
Sree Ramar Temple (Dravidian)
While its architecture is similar to Sri Mariamman's (Dravidian), Sree Ramar has its own unique qualities; in addition to statues of Hindu deities such as Rama, the temple is also home to statues of Lord Buddha and Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy), reflecting Singapore's multi-religious makeup.
Sree Ramar Temple, image credit: roots.gov.sg
Tracing its history back to a shrine found at the base of a tree, the temple has been a part of the local community since the end of World War II. Mr Ram Naidu, a veteran of the British Indian Army, worked to secure the site and began construction of the temple. Today, the temple is a popular destination for tourists, with many locals from the nearby village gathering daily to take part in its prayers and activities.
Fun fact: The Sree Ramar Temple is an amalgamation of three separate temples (namely the Sri Manmatha Karunaya Eswarar Temple, Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple and the Sri Palani Aandavar Shrine), each dedicated to a different deity. It is highly praised for its structure and layout, and is considered a guardian of the village due to its location, overlooking the sea and facing east. It is a unique combination of Vaishnavite and Saivite deities, allowing Hindus to conduct post-funeral rites at the sea side and then proceed to the temple for further rituals.
Sree Ramar Temple. 51 Changi Village Road, Singapore 509908 (Near Tanah Merah MRT Station)
Thian Hock Keng Temple (Chinese)
Thian Hock Keng Temple (or “Temple of Heavenly Happiness”), is the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore, and it is dedicated to Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea. Early Chinese immigrants would come to this temple to give thanks for their safe passage across the South China Sea. The temple's unique Fujian architecture style is distinguished by detailed sculptures of dragons and deities, as well as the colourful broken porcelain on the roof ridges. Interestingly, this architectural masterpiece was constructed without the use of a single nail.
Main entrance of Thian Hock Keng Temple, Photo by Afur Wong
Managed by Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, Thian Hock Keng Temple was gazetted as a national monument in 1973. Over the past few decades, the organization has funded more than $6.5 million for the restoration and repair works of the monument, excluding the annual maintenance costs. The most comprehensive restoration project was carried out from 1998 to 2000, which won four architectural awards, including the most prestigious award from UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage 2001 Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation Building.
The temple was built in traditional southern Chinese architectural style adheres to the Chinese principle of axial symmetry. There are three halls - entrance, main, and rear - built slightly raised podiums to underscore their importance. These are positioned along a central axis and separated by courtyards lined with single-storey buildings. The exposed beams and cantilevered brackets are richly carved with heroes at war, sages on horsebacks, saints on clouds, and patterns of flowers and animals, all enhanced with lacquer glided with gold.
Thian Hock Keng Temple is one of Singapore's most majestic Chinese temples, built when Telok Ayer Street was a sandy beach crowded with trading junks, long before the first land reclamation that began the inexorable separation of the temple and the seashore.
The temple hosts various events and celebrations throughout the year like the birthday of Jade Emperor and Confucius, both of which are important days for the Chinese. During the celebrations, devotees offer sugarcane and participate in interactive games advocating Confucius values. The temple also organizes a traditional Chinese dance and a Fortune Rice Bucket offering during the Lunar New Year.
Thian Hock Keng preserves traditional practices such as the Getai performances, the Nanyin ancient Chinese music art form, and the Qing Ming Festival for ancestors. The temple also hosts the Mazu Excursion for Peace to promote Chinese customs, traditions, culture, and heritage. Additionally, Thian Hock Keng organizes a temple fair and a Traditional Hokkien String Puppet Show during the Chinese New Year. Guided tours on Chinese customs and traditions, history, and architectural significance of the are also available during major celebrations at the temple.
Thian Hock Keng Temple. 158 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068613 (Near Telok Ayer MRT station)
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (Chinese)
Completed in 2007, this Buddhist temple sports a charming yesteryear aesthetic. The architecture, which strictly follows northern Chinese temple styles complete with Tang Dynasty details, was a result of numerous iterations. The abbot of this temple was extremely rigorous while working on the temple's architecture: He ensured that it abided by tradition in order to reflect Singapore's Chinese heritage and respect its neighbourhood of Chinatown.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (Chinese), Photo by Marklin Ang
The temple is named after the left canine tooth of the Buddha, which is displayed in a giant stupa made of 320 kilograms of gold and weighing 3,500 kilograms. 234 kilograms of the gold were donated by devotees. The temple was officially opened on Vesak Day, 31 May 2007, by Singapore's late President S. R. Nathan.
The temple is not only a religious site, but also a museum that showcases the rich history and culture of Buddhism. Its comprehensive exhibits on Buddhist art and history tell stories of culture that are thousands of years old. Visitors can view the Buddha Tooth Relic on the fourth floor of the temple, where it is displayed to the public. If visitors are looking for a quiet place to reflect, the roof garden, with its pagoda and Buddha prayer wheel, provides a peaceful retreat amid the hustle and bustle of Chinatown.
In addition to its religious and cultural offerings, the temple also has a theatre and a vegetarian dining hall located in the basement. The temple was built with contributions from generous devotees and donors, including Singaporeans and overseas Buddhists.
In summary, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in Buddhism and Chinese heritage. The building's unique design, comprehensive exhibits, and the display of the Buddha Tooth Relic make it a cultural gem in the heart of Singapore's Chinatown.
It is important to dress appropriately when visiting religious sites out of respect for the culture and traditions. Visitors to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple are requested to wear appropriate attire to maintain the sanctity of the temple. The temple's dress code prohibits short skirts, miniskirts, shorts, low-cut tops or dresses, open/low back tops or dresses, off-the-shoulder tops or dresses, spaghetti strap tops, and tube tops. Visitors are also advised not to bring pets or non-vegetarian food into the temple premises.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. 288 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840 (Near Chinatown MRT station)
Revivalist
A prominent architectural style in Singapore, revivalism can be admired at these places of worship while you enjoy both their cultural and historical significance.
St Andrew's Cathedral (Neo-Gothic)
St Andrew's Cathedral is a stunning example of Neo-Gothic architecture and is the oldest Anglican church in Singapore. The church is located at the heart of the city on the site of the original church, which was built in 1835. The current building was constructed in 1862 and is a testament to the skill and artistry of the architects and craftsmen who designed and built it.
St Andrew’s Cathedral (Neo-Gothic)
The land on which the church was built was donated by an Arab settler, Syed Omar Ali Aljunied, in 1834. The church is said to be inspired by the design of a 13th-century English church. Three primary components of this church establish its relation to the Church of England: the Canterbury Stone, the Coventry Cross and the Coronation Carpet.
The foundation stone for the cathedral’s present building was laid in 1856. The first service was held on 1st October 1861 and consecrated in 1862 and designed by Colonel Ronald MacPherson in the neo-Gothic architectural style. The building accommodated around 300 seated worshippers. Its grand façade would have been particularly prominent from the sea then. For the Christian community in Singapore, it was a sign of unity and acted as a powerful stimulus for new missionary work in the region.
The Cathedral is open to the public for its weekend worship services which have sessions English, Chinese (Hokkien) and Burmese (Myanmar).
St Andrew's Cathedral. 11 St Andrew's Road, Singapore 178959 (Near City Hall MRT station)
Chesed-El Synagogue (Renaissance revival)
Designed in the Palladian style, and newer of the two synagogues in Singapore, the Chesed-El Synagogue is a Renaissance-era revival of ancient Greek and Roman architectural features. This style is characterised by arches, Corinthian columns and a covered porch where the original intent was to allow horse carriages to pass through. One of the local Jewish community's most prominent members is the late David Marshall, who was instrumental in fighting for Singapore's independence.
Chesed-El Synagogue, image credit: roots.gov.sg
Chesed-El Synagogue. 2 Oxley Rise, Singapore 238693 (Near Dhoby Ghaut & Somerset MRT stations)
Sultan Mosque (Indo-Saracenic revival)
Masjid Sultan, also known as Sultan Mosque, is a prominent religious building located in Singapore's historic Kampong Gelam district. Completed in 1932, the mosque features the Indo-Saracenic style, a British Indian style that combines traditional Persian, Moorish, and Turkish influences. One unique feature of the mosque is the glass bottles decorating the bottoms of its domes, which enabled all members of the Muslim community to contribute to its construction.
Sultan Mosque was built in 1824 for Sultan Hussein Shah, the first sultan of Singapore. The original building was a single-storey building with a double-tiered roof, and Sir Stamford Raffles contributed S$3,000 to its construction. The mosque underwent reconstruction in 1932, with Denis Santry from Swan and Maclaren designing the present-day mosque.
The onion-shaped domes of Sultan Mosque are adorned with glass bottle ends donated by lower-income Muslims during its construction. The mosque is a national monument and a focal point for the Muslim community. Visitors during Ramadan can enjoy the night market and its many food stalls, and the mosque offers informative guided tours in several languages, including English, Malay, Chinese, and Japanese.
Sultan Mosque is an impressive sight with massive golden domes and a huge prayer hall, making it a must-see destination for tourists visiting the historic Kampong Gelam district.
Sultan Mosque (Indo-Saracenic revival), Photo by Gaia Ong
Sultan Mosque. 3 Muscat Street, Singapore 198833 (Near Bugis MRT station)
Contemporary
Witness how Singapore blends ancient seamlessly into our modern cityscape. These historic places of worship have won acclaim and awards for their striking contemporary designs.
Assyafaah Mosque (Contemporary)
Opened in 2004, the mosque looks nothing like one, and that was intentional. Forum Architects deliberately avoided literal domes, arches and minarets in order to, according to the mosque, search for a contemporary Singaporean identity, unlike other local mosques that are based on Middle Eastern models. In doing so, the architecture focuses on ‘calmness', ‘spirituality' and ‘a sense of oneness', with natural light as a prominent medium. The building won the Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award in 2008.
Masjid Assyafaah, image credit - roots.gov.sg
Assyafaah Mosque. 1 Admiralty Lane, Singapore 757620 (Near Sembawang MRT station)
Postmodern
Singapore's religious landscape is a vibrant tapestry of architectural marvels. From the intricate Dravidian designs of Sri Mariamman Temple to the sleek lines of the contemporary Assyafaah Mosque, these breathtaking places of worship showcase the city-state's rich cultural diversity and spiritual heritage.
Church of the Blessed Sacraments (Postmodern)
Completed in 1965 by Van Sitteren and Partners, this Catholic church is well known among locals for its striking blue slate roof: It resembles origami folds in the shape of a tent, which symbolises the ‘tent of meeting' in the Old Testament. Its other noteworthy architectural feature is the interior of the church. The main sanctuary is built in a cruciform shape, and the four points at which the hall meets the roof are panelled with glass. This technique allows natural light to dramatically illuminate the interiors.
Church of the Blessed Sacraments, image Credit: Darren Soh (docomomo.sg)
Church of the Blessed Sacraments. 1 Commonwealth Drive, Singapore 149603 (Near Commonwealth & Queenstown MRT stations)
