Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of Singapore led close to 40,000 devotees and four ministers at a 164-year-old Hindu Temple’s reconsecration ceremony yesterday. The Temple was undergoing SGD 4.5 million restoration work.
The water used in the holy ceremony was ought from nine holy rivers in India and brought to Singapore.
Prime Minister was effusive in his praise of the Hindu community and also expressed his happiness:
Happy to join the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB), Hindu Advisory Board, Temple management committee, faith and community leaders and thousands of devotees for the re-consecration ceremony of Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple this morning. This 164-year-old Temple has been undergoing renovations for the last 1.5 years to prepare for its re-consecration, which takes place every 12 years. This Temple is a landmark for the local Hindu community. Its re-consecration and redevelopment was only possible with generous donations from devotees, the Temple leadership and the Hindu community. Each generation has to look after and enhance what past generations have built in Singapore, and leave Singapore better than they found it.
He also shared these four pictures and took time to explain the major portions of the Temple ceremony:
Prime Minister wrote for this picture: “Those of you who celebrate Thaipusam will know of Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple along Serangoon Road, as it is the starting point of the procession route. One of the oldest Temples in Singapore, it has seen Singapore’s transformation from a maritime port to a multiracial and independent nation.”PM narrated: “25,000 devotees gathered early this morning and braved the hot sun to witness the consecration ceremony. The priests are carrying the vessels with holy water from Perumal Road to the Temple towers. “Singaporean Prime Minister said: “Priests pouring holy water on the Temple pinnacles to re-sanctify the deities. The water was drawn from nine holy rivers in India and brought to Singapore. The priests have been praying twice a day for the last six days in preparation for the consecration.”PM was also given a shawl in honor. He told his followers: “After witnessing an aarti (offering of light to the deity), I was honoured to receive a shawl and garland at the Temple sanctum by Jayachandran, Chairman of the HEB.”
