Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

Infobox Mandir

|The "gopuram" of Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
proper_name = Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
creator = P. Govindasamy Pillai
date_built = 1855
primary_deity =Vishnu
architecture = Dravidian architecture
location = Little India, Singapore

SG neighbourhood
image

englishname=Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
chinesename=尼瓦沙柏鲁马兴都庙
poj=
pengim=
pinyin=Níwǎshā Bòlŭmă Xīngdūmiào
malayname=
tamilname=ஸ்ரீ ஸ்ரீநிவாசப்பெருமாள் கோவில்

Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple or Sri Perumal Temple is one of the oldest temples in Singapore. It is located in Little India on Serangoon Road, where its tall Gopuram (tower) shows the different incarnations of Lord Vishnu. This large complex, dedicated to Vishnu, dates from 1855, but the 20-metres-tall Gopuram is a relatively recent addition, built in 1966 at a cost of S$300,000. The temple's five-tier Gopuram was a donation from P. Govindasamy Pillai, one of the earliest Indian migrants who made good. He ultimately set up a chain of popular general goods stores in Little India and was known for his philanthropic works, a legacy continued by his sons today.

The area around the Perumal Temple was once filled with ponds and vegetable gardens. A stream used to lead into the temple and was an important source for devotees to ritually cleanse themselves before beginning worship. Inside the temple's inner courtyard, a well marks the spot where the stream used to flow. There is also a Tulasi(thulassi) (basil plant), the Hindus' symbolic holy bush.

Inside the temple you will find a statue of Perumal, or Vishnu, his consorts Lakshmi and Andal, and his bird-mount, Garuda. Perumal Temple is at the centre of the Hindu trinity made up of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. The temple is dedicated to Krishna, one of the incarnations of Vishnu. Perumal is another name for Krishna and statues of him - coloured blue to signify blue-blood - are everywhere in the temple. There are also statues, Lakshmi and Andal, the goddesses of beauty and wealth respectively, and of his mount, the mythical Garuda bird. The temple ceiling is dominated by a colourful circular pattern depicting the nine planets of the universe.

This temple is the starting point for devotees during the annual Thaipusam festival. Devotees, their tongues and cheeks pierced by great metal skewers supporting kavadi (cage-like constructions decorated with wire and peacock feathers), make their way to the Chettiar Hindu Temple on Tank Road in this colourful procession. This is done in gratitude or supplication to Lord Murugan.

It was gazetted as a national monument in 1978.

References

Beyond the aromatic flower shops, you will notice a large brightly painted yellow shop front. P. Govindasamy Pillai & Sons or "PGP" as affectionately known, is located here. Founded by P. Govindasamy Pillai, a patriarch of the Indian community well-known for his charitable works, the shop is now run by his sons. As one of the earliest sari shops in Serangoon Road, it is now a key landmark in Little India.

To get into PGP, first walk into Kuna's Handicraft Shop where you'll find a wide range of traditional Indian arts and crafts. You will see sculptures tucked away in corners, alongside oil lamps, bangles and peacock feathers.

Walking through Kuna's will lead you to the PGP supermarket, well-stocked with everything from Indian utensils and sandalwood incense to spice mixes for fish and meat curries, freshly ground at a traditional spice grinder. Don't forget to proceed upstairs to the sari shop filled with sari, shawls, scarves and modern garments in both traditional and modern designer fabrics.

Walk through PGP, exit onto Dunlop Street and turn right. Pop into the different provision and textile shops along this road. You'll find staples sold here as well as a curious variety of products ranging from special Indian cosmetics such as kohl, henna dyes (for decorating the hands) and perfumed oils, to terracotta pots for cooking curries. Walk further down and you will see an interesting mix of textile and Indian dress shops.

At the junction of Dunlop Street and Clive Street, you can either make two left turns to the food joints in Upper Dickson Road or make a detour and walk down Dunlop Street to the next two stop-points - a mosque and a church.