Over 20,000 devotees attend Sri Sivan Temple consecration, crowds almost break through barricades
Priests holding golden 'kalasams' or pinnacles as they make their way to the consecration of the Sri Sivan Temple on June 8. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
SINGAPORE - Over 20,000 devotees gathered to witness the consecration of the Sri Sivan Temple on June 8.
The Geylang East temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore, has a history that dates to the 1800s.
The event was attended by Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam.
Speaking to media on the sidelines of the event, the ceremony's guest of honour said: 'Today's consecration ceremony is very significant. This temple itself has a very special place in the heart of the Hindu community in Singapore.'
He unveiled a plaque commemorating the consecration ceremony.
Devotees began streaming into purpose-built tents outside the temple by 7am, waiting eagerly for the main event - a Maha Kumbhabishegam ('grand consecration' in Sanskrit).
It refers to the process of pouring sanctified water from vessels on the roof of the temple.
Devotees began streaming into purpose-built tents outside the temple by 7am, waiting eagerly for the main event - a Maha Kumbhabishegam ('grand consecration' in Sanskrit).
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
From around 8am, chants and traditional music filled the air as a procession of priests holding pots of sacred water headed to the temple roof.
The thousands of devotees followed the elaborate proceedings via large screens showing a multi-camera live stream of the priests pouring purified water, which cascaded down from 22 golden 'kalasams' or pinnacles at the peak of the temple structure.
Madam Navamany Gopalkrishnan, 68, was among the faithful who had managed to get seats to the grand occasion two weeks ago.
'If I am in the country, I never miss a temple's consecration…and this is the biggest one I've been for,' said the retired caterer.
However, the over-eager crowd at times threatened to break through barricades that had been set up to control people entering the temple after the main ceremony concluded.
At around 11.30am, at one of the tents, crowds bulged out of barricades as organisers and volunteers implored in Tamil for people to stop pushing.
The crowds who had been waiting to enter the sanctum to pray dissipated after police were called to the site at Geylang East Ave 2.
The crowds who had been waiting to enter the sanctum to pray dissipated after police were called to the site at Geylang East Ave 2.
PHOTO: TAMIL MURASU
Two young children had been pulled out of the crowd and given seats and water by volunteers, while another man was seen being attended to by a medic.
Among those stuck in the queue was Madam Kumari Muthu, 63, a nurse who had been on site from 5.30am.
'The pushing was terrible…I've never experienced anything like this before,' said Madam Kumari.
'I was so afraid they were going to push all the old people especially, next time they should have separate queues for men, and women, elderly and children.'
Crowds let up once police arrived on site from around noon, and dissipated within 45 minutes .
ST has contacted the Hindu Endowments Board, which manages the temple, for comment.
Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam (third from right) at the consecration of the Sri Sivan Temple on June 8.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
This was the third such consecration for the temple, which started off on a parcel in Orchard Road in 1868, and relocated to a temporary premises in 1983 before moving to its current location in Geylang East in 1993.
Its second consecration ceremony in 2008 drew 15,000 devotees. The third consecration, which was supposed to happen 12 years later, was disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Anjali Raguraman is a correspondent at The Straits Times. She covers politics, as well as consumer stories spanning tourism, retail and F&B.
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
3 days ago
- CNA
Yishun resident taken to hospital after spalling concrete falls in HDB flat
SINGAPORE: A 65-year-old man was taken to hospital after spalling concrete fell in the bathroom of his flat in Yishun on Thursday (Jun 19). In response to queries from CNA on Friday, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) said its officers were alerted to the accident at Block 127 Yishun Street 11. "The incident resulted in injuries to a 65-year-old resident. Upon being notified, our officers conducted an immediate investigation on the same afternoon and found loose spalling concrete on the floor of the master bedroom bathroom," it said. HDB also inspected the whole flat and found "slight bulging of concrete" in the ceiling of the kitchen bathroom. "While there is no sign of the imminent spalling of concrete at the ceiling of the kitchen bathroom, for the residents' peace of mind and safety, HDB has arranged for our contractor to remove the bulging concrete next Monday," it added. HDB is assisting the flat owners with repairs under the Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) scheme and is coordinating with the local grassroots to render financial assistance for the cost of the repair works. Minister for Home Affairs, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC, K Shanmugam visited the affected flat. In a Facebook post on Friday, Mr Shanmugam said the owner of the flat is in hospital receiving treatment. He added that he spoke with the man's wife and informed her that assistance would be given, including on payment for the repair works. "My volunteers are linking with HDB and Town Council on the matter," he wrote. HDB added it will continue to render assistance and support to the affected resident and his family. COMMON ISSUE FOR OLDER BUILDINGS Spalling concrete is a common issue for older buildings, especially in areas with damp conditions such as kitchens and toilets, according to HDB's website. The issue is largely caused by carbonation, a natural deterioration process that causes steel reinforcement bars in the ceiling to corrode and the concrete to crack. The affected Yishun unit was completed 41 years ago and was upgraded under the Home Improvement Programme in 2018, HDB said in its statement on Friday. As part of the toilet upgrading, which the resident opted for, new tiles and fittings were installed in the toilets and the ceilings were repainted, it said. "No repair works for spalling concrete were conducted as there were no signs of spalling concrete in the unit then." HDB also provided advice on preventing spalling concrete. Visible signs of cracks or holes should be promptly sealed, and residents can also paint their ceilings regularly to prevent moisture and carbon dioxide from entering the concrete. Proper ventilation is also encouraged as humid environments will speed up carbonation. Residents can do so by opening the windows, vents or doors when these areas are not in use. "If there is spalling concrete, you can repair it yourself if the area is small. If the affected area is large, you should engage a contractor to repair the ceiling promptly before more concrete dislodges and causes injury.
AsiaOne
15-06-2025
- AsiaOne
'In shock': British Indians mourn crash victims at London vigil, World News
LONDON -Dozens of members of Britain's Indian community gathered at a Hindu temple in London on Saturday (June 14) for a vigil mourning the victims of this week's Air India crash, many of whom had personal connections to the temple. Leaders from the Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Muslim, Parsi, Zoroastrian and other communities offered their prayers, as those in attendance, hands folded, recited chants. A representative of Britain's King Charles read out a message from him and offered Christian prayers. Rajrajeshwar Guruji, head of the Siddhashram Hindu temple in Harrow, likened the grief of those who lost family members in the crash of the London-bound flight to the wait for a loved one's return from an endless journey. "They're just waiting and waiting, now they are not going to come back again," he said in an interview. Guruji, who comes from the state of Gujarat where the plane crashed, said the temple had helped family members in Britain get information about their loved ones. "Some of the members ... I have spoken to them, and ... they don't have the words," he said. "They are in shock." Britain has one of the largest Indian communities outside India, with nearly 1.69 million people - or 3.1 per cent of the population - identifying as ethnically Indian. [[nid:719065]] "We believe that everyone who is born has to go one day. But I hope nobody goes the way these ... passengers, as well as the medical students, have gone," said Harrow Mayor Anjana Patel, who lost a family member. Only one of the 242 passengers and crew on board survived the crash, while others were killed when the plane struck a medical college's hostel. Patel told Reuters that the council was offering grief counselling. "We just cannot bear how people must be feeling," she said. Jyotsna Shukla, 66, said her son's childhood friend was on the plane with his wife and three children. "I feel very bad because he was so young," she said, before breaking down into tears. Among those killed was Vijay Rupani, a former chief minister of Gujarat, who had visited the temple.
Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Straits Times
‘In shock': British Indians mourn Air India crash victims at London vigil
Women praying during a vigil at the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre in London, in memory of those who lost their lives in the Air India crash. PHOTO: REUTERS LONDON - Dozens of members of Britain's Indian community gathered at a Hindu temple in London on June 14 for a vigil mourning the victims of this week's Air India crash, many of whom had personal connections to the temple. Leaders from the Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Muslim, Parsi, Zoroastrian and other communities offered their prayers, as those in attendance, hands folded, recited chants. A representative of Britain's King Charles read out a message from him and offered Christian prayers. Mr Rajrajeshwar Guruji, head of the Siddhashram Hindu temple in Harrow, likened the grief of those who lost family members in the crash of the London-bound flight to the wait for a loved one's return from an endless journey. 'They're just waiting and waiting, now they are not going to come back again,' he said in an interview. Mr Guruji, who comes from the state of Gujarat where the plane crashed, said the temple had helped family members in Britain get information about their loved ones. 'Some of the members... I have spoken to them, and... they don't have the words,' he said. 'They are in shock.' Britain has one of the largest Indian communities outside India, with nearly 1.69 million people - or 3.1 per cent of the population - identifying as ethnically Indian. 'We believe that everyone who is born has to go one day. But I hope nobody goes the way these... passengers, as well as the medical students, have gone,' said Harrow Mayor Anjana Patel, who lost a family member. Only one of the 242 passengers and crew on board survived the crash, while others were killed when the plane struck a medical college's hostel. Ms Patel told Reuters that the council was offering grief counselling. 'We just cannot bear how people must be feeling,' she said. Ms Jyotsna Shukla, 66, said her son's childhood friend was on the plane with his wife and three children. 'I feel very bad because he was so young,' she said, before breaking down into tears. Among those killed was Mr Vijay Rupani, a former chief minister of Gujarat, who had visited the temple. REUTERS Worshippers attending a memorial service for the crash victims at Neasden Temple, in north-west London, on June 13. PHOTO: AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
