Sri Bala Subramaniyar Temple

Overview

Sri Bala Subramaniyar Temple is situated at 10 Yishun Industrial Park A, Singapore. The temple is primarily dedicated to Lord Muruga.

About The Temple

Bala Subramaniyar Temple was built as a small shed around a Elanthamaram (tree). The temple was initially called the PUNITHA MARAM (holy tree ) BALASUBRAMANIAR temple.

About The Deity

Lord Muruga is the principal deity of this temple with other deities like Lord Shiv & Shakti, Lord Ganesha, NavGraha, Shre sai baba, Shri Hanuman, Shri Annapoorni, Shri Durga, Aiyappan, Shri Subramaniyam, Rahu ketu, Shri Naga Rajar, Shri Vairavar and Shri Idumbar also gracing from the temple.

Legend and Stories

History

The temple was established in the year 1962, by aa worker named Mr. P. Karupiah, who was employed with the British Royal Navy Dockyard. He had a dream of Lord Murugan and a majestic golden cobra (Rajanagam) below a particular Elanthamaran in the swampy mangrove area west of Canberra Road. Mr.Karupaiah is said to have visited this place on the eve of the Tamil festival called Pongal and had built a small altar on tree’s base. One distinct feature of that tree was that it had six main branches symbolizing Lord Murugan who is said to possess heads. ( Lord Muruga is also called Shanmukha or Arumugam). He then placed the images of deities like Lord Vinayaga , Murugan, Lord Shiva and Devi Parvathi on the altar along with a large “vel”. He also offered worship to the deities regularly thereafter. As word about this temple spread, people from nearby localities, especially the employees from the Royal Navy Dockyard, started visiting this tiny shrine frequently.

Thus an interim committee was formed to oversee the establishment of the temple. The Commodore HMN Dockyard later allowed the place to be designated as a place of worship.

1964 – 1972

The temple was officially registered in the year 1964 and a temple management committee was formed. Mr. S. Saravanan was appointed its first Honorary President under whose leadership it was proposed to build a temple at that site. The temple construction works began with the aegis of a number of people. The most prominent among them were the Commodore of the Royal Navy, and the Superintendent of HMN Dockyard who provided the necessary building materials and other logistics for the construction. With the continuous efforts and contributions from a group of staunch devotees temple, the temple’s Kumbaabheshgam (consecration ceremony) was finally held. In March 1971, the first wedding was solemnised in the temple between the couples Selvarajan and Vijaya, after which a number of weddings have been conducted in the temple premise.

1973-1975

After the initial nine years of the temple management committee, Mr. S. Saravanan, its president resigned from the position. A young Lawyer, Mr. Subhas Anadan was elected as the new president in 1973. This paved way for the younger generation to contribute effectively towards the subsequent development activities of the temple. Under the leadership of the new president, the management committee established the youth wing who was bestowed with some the major administrative responsibilities. Religious classes, bhajan singing and other cultural activities were also initiated by the young committee members.

1976-1986

In 1976, Mr E . Narainasamy (one of the pioneers) was elected the President of the temple management committee and lead a young Committee which proposed to restructure the temple. On consulting religious scholars, it was decided to alter the existing edifice, based on their recommendations. The temple had certain architectural defects which were proposed to be rectified according to vedic shastras, while Vastu Scholars “sthapathis” Chidambaranathan and Madhaven Achary from Tamil Nadu were consulted for the same. With the divine blessings of Lord Sri Balasubramaniar, Kumbaabheshegam was held once again at the temple in Nov 1977. Eminent personalities like Sri Ayamani Sivam from Tamil Nadu, assisted by Chandrasekhar Kurookal and some “kurookals” from other countries conducted the ceremony. Mr. Doraisami became president of the temple management committee in 1985 after which plans for the third Kumbhabheshegam were proposed. This ceremony was conducted for the third time at this temple in November 1989.

Festivals

The Panguni Uthiram festival was first celebrated in the temple in 1967. With the support of Sivasamy Pandaram, six youths carried the kavadi in honor of Lord Balasubramaniar. On the eve of Panguni Uthiram, the temple chariot with Lords Vinayager and Subramanirar are taken in a elaborate procession on the Sembawang streets. Thousands of devotees from Singapore and Malaysia participate in this annual festival. The management committees of this temple has recorded that the successful running of this temple would not have been possible without the support of devotees and well wishers.

How To Reach Singapore

Airport

The chaangi airport at Singapore is one of the busiest airports of the world and connects a number of international destinations. It is the major airport of south east Asia.

Railways

Singapore is connected to Malaysia, Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur by rail, with a route to Bangkok. There are three trains per day, including a sleeper. Trains depart from and arrive at the Tanjong Pagar MRT station Singapore.

Road

Singapore has two causeways that connect the island to Malaysia and the mainland of Asia. There are regular bus services from 5 am to midnight. Buses are operated by SBS and Causeway Link, with the latter being significantly faster.

Temple Address

Holy Tree Balasubramaniya Temple,
10 Yishun Industrial Park A,
Singapore, Pincode – 768772.