Places of Peace and Prayers: The Best Temples in Singapore
One thing I love about Singapore is its diverse community; people from all walks of life live here. Diversity is also present in terms of religion; two of the most dominant religions in Singapore are Buddhism and Hinduism.
You can find many Buddhist and Hindu temples in Singapore, and even if you don’t follow the faith, you’re still welcome to check them out. Here are some recommendations on where to go if you’re interested.
Top 25 Buddhist and Hindu Temples in Singapore
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
— From: poreamon_por
Address: 288 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058840
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +6562200220
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple has to be one of the most popular temples in Singapore. With an architectural style inspired by the Chinese Tang Dynasty, this temple boasts five stories, with an on-site museum, library, garden, and vegetarian restaurant.
The temple’s main highlight is the Sacred Buddha Relics Chamber, which houses the alleged brains, blood, muscle, and flesh relics of Buddha. You can also find his left canine tooth, recovered from his funeral pyre, hence the temple’s name.
Sri Mariamman Temple
— From: mii.ii.na_goshuin
Address: 244 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058793
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—6 am to 12 pm, 6 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6562234064
Near the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is another popular temple: Sri Mariamman Temple. This Hindu temple is the oldest of its kind in Singapore, and it’s dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, a deity known for curing all kinds of sickness.
My favorite part about this temple is its architectural design. It employs the Dravidian style of architecture, which is the style of choice for many temples in South India.
Plus, the eye-catching entrance features vivid sculptures of different Hindu figures.
Sri Krishnan Temple
— From: christian.m.adams
Address: 152 Waterloo St, Singapore 187961
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 12 pm, 6 to 8:45 pm
Contact Number: +6563377957
Sri Krishnan Temple started out in 1870 as a banyan tree with a few deities placed around it, but eventually, it became a fully-fledged place of worship for Lord Krishna, the supreme god in Hinduism.
Currently, the temple boasts a spacious prayer hall and an impressive four-story annex. As for its design, it’s reminiscent of South Indian architecture.
The dome above the main shrine combines copper and gold plating and is embellished with carvings of deities.
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
— From: rambletumble
Address: 397 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218123
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5:30 am to 12 pm, 5:30 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6562985771
Completed in 1855, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple has been renovated multiple times, so despite its old age, it still looks as good as new. Its gopuram (a monumental entrance tower) stands five stories tall, and its carvings of deities are incredibly intricate and vivid.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the supreme deity in Hinduism who is believed to create, protect, and transform everything in the universe. There are several statues of him and his consorts inside.
The gopuram is also impressive—it’s about 20 meters tall!
This temple was gazetted as a national monument in 1978, which is why it’s such a popular destination among tourists.
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
— From: kaoculus
Address: 141 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218042
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5:30 am to 12 pm, 5 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6562954538
Centrally located in Little India, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is a prime destination for devotees and tourists alike. This temple boasts complex carvings on the gopuram and a riot of colors inside.
It’s dedicated to the goddess Kali, who, contrary to popular opinion, is actually a benevolent figure. If you choose to receive a blessing here, they will mark your forehead with white ash.
Sri Murugan Hill Temple
— From: elavan_messi_yadhav
Address: 931 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678207
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7 am to 12 pm, 6 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6567695784
My favorite thing about Sri Murugan Hill Temple is that it’s located on top of a hillock, so you can get a pretty decent view of the city here. Aside from that, the architecture is beautiful—the vibrant colors pop, and the carvings are very detailed.
I also love the temple’s humble beginnings: it was founded by a plumber who was attached to the Royal Air Forces.
He simply placed a small shrine of Sri Muneeswaran, and with the support of the villagers and other RAF employees, he was able to host the first pooja (a worship ritual) that marked the founding of the temple.
Over the years, the temple underwent multiple relocations, eventually finding its home on Upper Bukit Timah Road. Additionally, thanks to the help of a few donations, the temple was able to renovate and become the beautiful structure that we now know.
Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple
— From: singaporeinsiders
Address: 88 Bright Hill Rd, Singapore 574117
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +6568495300
Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery is a Buddhist temple built by Zhuan Dao in the early 1900s in an effort to spread Buddhism in Singapore. It also serves as lodging for monks and is the parent organization of the Buddhist College of Singapore.
If you’re hungry after roaming the spacious temple, you can grab a bite from its vegetarian restaurant.
Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple
— From: johnvirzonlorenzo
Address: 366 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218638
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 4:30 pm
Contact Number: +6562940714
The Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple’s highlight is its enormous seated Buddha statue, which weighs around 300 tons. The statue is also illuminated by several bulbs, hence why the temple is also known as the Temple of 1,000 Lights.
During Buddhist celebrations, this temple becomes even more active. Vesak Day, in particular, draws in quite a crowd; a small statue of Buddha gets decorated with gold leaves by the devotees!
Leong San See Temple
— From: sereann
Address: 371 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218641
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +6562989371
Leong San See Temple translates to “Dragon Mountain Temple,” which is such a majestic name if you ask me. It has ornate design elements, including carvings of dragons and other creatures on the roof.
The temple had humble beginnings; the founder, Reverend Chun Wu, only had an urn and a statue of Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy, when he came to Singapore. So, when he established the temple, it only had a few huts, with the central one for the goddess.
Eventually, the temple rose to prominence and received a steady stream of visitors. Most people come here to pray for intelligence, which is why you’ll find a lot of families and students here.
Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple
— From: aom_kondeeplus
Address: 178 Waterloo St, Singapore 187964
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7 to 11:30 am, 1 to 5:30 pm
Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple shares multiple similarities with Leong San See Temple. They’re both dedicated to Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy, and they also served as a refuge for the sick in the past.
Where Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple stands out is in the fact that it’s said to provide predictions, and many people claim that they’re accurate. I don’t really believe in divination, but then again, it doesn’t hurt to try getting one!
Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery
— From: asher.918
Address: 184 Jalan Toa Payoh, Singapore 319944
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +6562596924
Also known as the Siong Lim Temple, Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery is a Buddhist monastery built in the classic Chinese architecture style. In fact, it’s said to be modeled after Xi Chang Shi Temple in China.
Another thing I love about this temple is its sprawling grounds. I love exploring the area and seeing the manicured lawns and well-trimmed bushes.
My favorite part of this temple is the Dragon Light Pagoda. It stands 29 meters tall and features granite and golden elements in its design.
Sri Thendayuthapani Temple
— From: uploadvirus
Address: 15 Tank Rd, Singapore 238065
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7 am to 12, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
Contact Number: +6567379393
Sri Thendayuthapani Temple is also called the Chettiars’ Temple because it was built by Chettiars (Indian moneylenders). It was completed in 1859 but was reconstructed in 1983 and renovated in 2022; that’s why its colorful gopuram looks so freshly painted.
This temple is devoted to Murugan, the Hindu god of war.
On the eve of Thaipusam (a Tamil Hindu festival that’s celebrated on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai, which is usually January or February), devotees parade a Murugan statue around the area.
Aside from the parade, some devotees will have their bodies pierced by hooks, spears, and spiked steel structures as an act of penance and gratitude to the god.
Sri Sivan Temple
— From: _spirituality_faith_in_god
Address: 24 Geylang East Ave 2, Singapore 389752
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—6 am to 12 pm, 5:30 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6567434566
Since Sri Sivan Temple is dedicated to the supreme Hindu god Shiva, it only makes sense that it’s majestic and grand.
Its architecture is a combination of South and North Indian styles with a bit of modern influence. Its sheer size will have you staring in awe!
The interior is just as great as well. The statues of the deities are decked in colorful accessories, and you can also find vibrant paintings of Hindu figures.
Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple
— From: struttingaround
Address: 19 Ceylon Rd, Singapore 429613
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—6:30 am to 12 pm
Contact Number: +6563458176
While the gopurams of other Hindu temples boast vibrant colors, the one in Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple shines in various shades of gold.
It’s also in this temple where you can find four granite structures of Lord Ganesha, the god of new beginnings, wisdom, and luck. 20 Indian artists worked on these structures for 20 years!
Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple
— From: rjaishanker68
Address: 73 Keong Saik Rd., Singapore 089167
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7:30 am to 12 pm, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
Contact Number: +6562214853
Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple is another temple built by Chettiars, and it’s meant to honor Ganesha. It used to be visited primarily by workers from the nearby hospital and prison; currently, only the hospital remains in its spot.
If you want to visit this temple, be sure to do it on the weekdays. The weekends draw so many people; you can tell by the number of shoes left outside the temple’s door.
Shree Lakshminarayan Temple
—From: study_singapore
Address: 5 Chander Rd, Singapore 219528
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—6 am to 12 pm, 4 to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +6562930195
Shree Lakshminarayan Temple is the only temple in Singapore that caters to the North Indian Hindu community. It’s also not as old as the other temples; it was only completed in the 1960s with the help of about 10,000 North Indian Hindus.
Unlike the other temples that boast vivid colors, this one has a simple architectural style; there’s no towering gopuram nor intricate carvings.
Despite that, this temple is still worth checking out; it doesn’t hurt to pray to Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) and Brahma (the creator).
Burmese Buddhist Temple
— From: djmaxwellwong
Address: 14 Tai Gin Rd, Singapore 327873
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +6562511717
The best way I can describe the Burmese Buddhist Temple is that it is the embodiment of the word “majestic.” It’s adorned with golden details along its roof and facade, and golden lion-like statues guard the entrance.
This temple is one of the oldest Theravada institutions on the island.
Inside, you can find a massive Buddha made from pure white marble. It towers at 11 feet and weighs up to 10 tons!
Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple
— From: dianaohy
Address: 555 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218174
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7:30 to 11:30 am, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Contact Number: +6562985053
Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple has an interesting history: it’s believed that a sole female devotee founded the temple. She placed a picture of Mariamman, the goddess of weather, under a banyan tree in an area that was frequented by many residents.
Eventually, the gathering of people was enough to warrant a temple, and to this day, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple is still well-visited.
Sree Ramar Temple
— From: s_manikandan_knr
Address: 51 Changi Village Rd, Singapore 509908
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—6 am to 12 pm, 5:30 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6565431463
Located in Changi in East Singapore, Sree Ramar Temple is dedicated to Rama, the supreme being who’s the embodiment of dharma. Despite being a Hindu temple, it also caters to non-Hindus, having statues of Buddha and the Chinese goddess Guan Yin.
Even though this temple is far from Little India and Kampong Glam, where most of the Hindu temples are located, it still attracts a good number of devotees. In fact, it hosts several annual religious activities to celebrate the community.
My favorite event to attend is the Rama Navami, which is essentially Rama’s birthday. Hindus in the neighborhood really go all out with their celebrations.
Wat Ananda Metyarama Thai Buddhist Temple
— From: nw_wong
Address: 50B Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 169545
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—6:30 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +6562769646
Constructed in 1925, Wat Ananda Metyarama is one of the oldest Thai Theravada Buddhist temples in Singapore. In 2014, it underwent several renovations, so now the temple looks modern and traditional at the same time.
In fact, the temple’s new look earned it a nomination at the 2014 World Architecture Festival Awards!
The renovations also added more rooms in the temple. There are now new monks’ quarters, meditation halls, classrooms, and even a museum!
Seng Wong Beo Temple
— From: aseanjapancentre
Address: 113 Peck Seah St, Singapore 079332
Operating Hours:
- Friday to Wednesday—8 am to 4:30 pm
- Closed on Thursday
Contact Number: +6562219930
Located on Peck Seah Street, Seng Wong Beo Temple is hard to overlook. Its jewel-green roof with intricate carvings will surely make you do a double take.
While it’s true that the temple looks aesthetically pleasing, my favorite fact about it is that it actually practices the age-old ritual of hosting ghost marriages! If you don’t know, a ghost marriage is an arrangement between parties where one—or both—is dead.
Mun San Fook Tuck Chee
— From: sarkongliondance
Address: 124 Sims Dr, Singapore 387379
Mun San Fook Tuck Chee may look simple, but it holds about 150 years of history, making it one of the oldest Cantonese temples in Singapore.
Additionally, this temple is home to the Sar Kong Mun San Fook Tuck Chee Lion Dance Troupe. It does fire dragon performances around the neighborhood.
Poh Ern Shih Temple
— From: supernue.va
Address: 9 Chwee Chian Rd, Singapore 117488
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +6564743926
Located on Singapore’s southern coast, Poh Ern Shih Temple was erected as a memorial to people who lost their lives during the Battle of Pasir Panjang in 1942. It was also the first Buddhist temple that appointed an abbot who was a Westerner.
Another fun fact about Poh Ern Shih Temple is that it’s actually the only temple in Singapore that’s eco-friendly. It was renovated in 2003 to include solar panels on its rooftop.
Foo Hai Ch’an Monastery
— From: vjsdpl
Address: 87 Geylang East Ave 2, Singapore 389753
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +6567486676
Foo Hai Ch’an Monastery practices the Chinese strand of Buddhism, which is why you can see the influences of Taoism and Chinese folk religions in the temple’s design. In fact, the architecture is very reminiscent of the classic Chinese style.
The monastery’s main highlight is the bodhi tree. It’s believed to be derived from a cutting of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka that was planted by the eldest daughter of King Ashoka in 288 BC.
Because of its long history, many devotees believe that the tree is sacred.
Sri Lankaramya Buddhist Temple
— From: kasunedward
Address: 30C St Michael’s Rd, Sri Lankaramaya Temple, Singapore 328002
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—6 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6562932132
Founded in 1920, Sri Lankaramya Buddhist Temple is the primary Sri Lankan Buddhist temple in Singapore. It also follows the Theravada strand of Buddhism.
Vesak Day is a popular celebration here, but the temple hosts other kinds of events as well. Specifically, you can partake in meditation practices, pujas, and blessings.
You might also be interested in participating in the Sinhalese New Year!
It happens every April, and it’s so much fun. The Sri Lankan community comes together here, and you can treat yourself to a heaping of sweetmeats.