Singapore Hindu community consecrates 102-year old temple

Singapore, Sep 17: The consecration ceremony of the 102-year old Sri Ruthra Kaliamman Temple, one of Singapore's leading Hindu temples, was held here today with 50 new statues installed at the historic religious site.

The ceremony, held every 12 years for Hindu temples, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a Singaporean Hindu of Ceylonese Tamil ancestry, besides some 5,000 devotees.

Shanmugaratnam, who was guest of honour at the ceremony, was joined by Law and Foreign Minister K Shanmugam and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office S Iswaran, both of Indian-origin.

"Devotees will now get to pray to the various forms of Kali which feature mainly in South Indian and Sri Lankan temples," said V K Ramachandra, temple management committee chairman. Holy waters brought in from rivers such as Ganges were sprinkled from rooftop of the temple which has statues of goddess Kali mainly from South Indian and Sri Lankan Temples.

The ceremony was conducted by 37 priests at the temple dedicated to the goddess Sri Ruthra Kaliamman - one of Kali's forms. Fifty new statues, handcrafted by artisans from Tamil Nadu, were installed at the temple.

The temple in suburb-industrial zone's Depot Road was upgraded for 1.2 million Singapore dollars and traces its roots to 1913, The Straits Times reported. "Like many Hindus, we try to participate in consecration ceremonies across Singapore. We believe it is good to see it and that we will be blessed as well," said Viva S, who attended the ceremony with his family.

PTI