Sri Ruthra Kaliamman Temple, Singapore -- 100 Depot Road, Singapore

Medha Malik Kudaisya, Assistant Professor, University Scholars Programme, National University of Singapore

The Sri Ruthra Kaliamman Temple, 100 Depot Road, Singapore, 109670 is dedicated to the Great Goddess in her manifestation as Kali, the possessor of great cosmic power or the Great Cosmic Mother. Established in 1913 by Letchumanan Nadar, an employee of Alexandra Brickworks, it was originally located within the premises of the Brickworks at 20 Pasir Panjang Road. In its early years, it was merely a small shrine housed in a simple wooden structure till a brick building with a tiled roof was constructed in 1923.

An important landmark in the templešs history was the installation of a granite image of Sri Ruthra Kaliamman in 1968 after a consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishegam). This was followed by the installation of granite images to replace pictorial ones of other important deities - Sri Vinayagar and Sri Subrahmaniar at a Supplementary Consecration Ceremony (Prathishtai). The temple shifted to a temporary location after 1971 when Alexandra Brickworks sold its premises to the Port of Singapore Authority. In 1983 after an elaborate consecration ceremony it came to be located at its present site on Depot Road.

Photographs Š George P. Landow may be used without written permission for any educational purpose. Any commercial or other use requires prior written permisison from .

Last updated 20 March 2000.