Consider the goddess Kaliamman. She is the presiding deity of the Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple. This temple stands as one of Toa Payoh’s finest.
The Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple began as a small temple. It was at the junction of Killiney Road and Orchard Road in 1860. Traffic changes caused a reconstruction on Somerset Road in 1921. The temple moved again in 1982 to Toa Payoh. The new temple’s consecration occurred in March 1986.
But the temple’s history extends beyond its physical moves. The Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple holds a special place in Singapore’s history. It introduced the first pre-school, Saraswathi Kindergarten.
The Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple’s gopuram has a statue of Kaliamman. Inside, sanctums hold Kaliamman, Vinayagar and Murugan. You will also find Swamy Ayyappan and Guruvayurappan. Durgai Amman, Periachi Amman, Angala Parameswari and Madurai Veeran are there too.
Brahmotsava is an annual festival at Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple. It honors Kaliamman. The festival includes cleansing the temple. There is also a flag raising. A chariot procession travels through Toa Payoh. Other festivals include Chitra Poornima and Periyachi puja. Sandal kumbha abhishek and Makara Deepam are celebrated here too.
Originally, the Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple stood where railway lines were planned. Authorities bought the land from the temple trustees. A new temple was built on Orchard Road. Later, railway authorities acquired this land as well. The temple was relocated a second time.
In 1921, land was purchased at 21 Somerset Road. The Mohammedan and Hindu Endowments Board built the temple. A consecration ceremony happened on December 6, 1933. In September 1970, the government acquired all the land for development. On September 5, 1982, the Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple moved to Toa Payoh.
Today, the Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple continues to serve as a vibrant center for the Hindu community. It offers not only a place for worship. The temple also stands as a testament to the community’s enduring spirit.