Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, Singapore

Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple (26 July 2017)

Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple (GPS: 1.31528, 103.85795) is an ornate Hindu temple along busy Serangoon Road in the Bendemeer subzone of Kallang, Singapore. It began as a small shrine set up by the Tamils living in Potong Pasir, who wanted a temple to worship the Hindu mother goddess and to sustain their cultural heritage. Vadapathira Kaliamman is the same deity as Sri Mariamman, the mother goddess. The name means "the pure-as-fire protective motherly spirit of the north".

The Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple was developed under the leadership of Rengasamy Murier, Murugaiyan, Samiappan and Vairappan Thevar. Initially, it was just a small shed at Upper Serangoon Road. Management of the temple eventually passed to B. Govindasamy Chettiar, the pioneer labour contractor to the Port of Singapore, who is a philanthropist and Indian community leader. He managed the Indian Labour Company which supplies Indian labourers such as stevedores, lightermen and other wharf worker to the harbour. At one time, he had 3500 Indian workers under his employment, in addition to Chinese coolies. He developed it into a proper temple.

Before B. Govindasamy Chettiar passed away, he requested through his nephew and son-in-law, the late SL Perumal, that a main tower, or rajakopuram be built, and other additions made to the temple. This was carried out by SL Perumal at his own expense.