Sri Muneeswaran Hindu Temple

Sri Muneeswaran Temple, considered to be the largest shrine in Southeast Asia dedicated to Sri Muneeswaran, is situated on the Tanglin Halt Road at Commonwealth Drive Singapore. The grand temple gets its name from the merging of the two words: ‘muni’ meaning ‘saint’, and ‘ishwar’, signifying ‘god’. Along with the presiding deity, Sri Muneeswaran Temple also includes the idols of several well-known Hindu gods like Lord Vinayagar, Sri Durgai Amman, Sri Ayappan, Sri Krishna and Sri Mariamman, to name a few. It is also said to be the only temple in Singapore to house the deities of Sri Naga Raja and Rani.

Interestingly, Sri Muneeswaran is said to be the God of acting and the protector of the South Indian villages. Several local actors offer their prayers at this temple since it is a strong belief that worshipping Sri Muneeswaran will improve one’s acting skills. The dignified temple was originally a shrine built by the Malayan railway workers at Queensway in 1932 in order to worship the deity. In 1998, it was relocated to Tanglin Road where it stands till date. Apart from being a place of worship, Sri Muneeswaran Temple also holds counselling and matchmaking sessions and doubles as a free yoga centre on Sundays and Mondays. The management committee of the temple also offers food to the needy in and around this place, irrespective of race and age. Not only is this sacred temple visited by numerous visitors throughout the year, but it is also believed to specifically draw in worshippers who are transformed criminals. Devotees flood in large crowds from distant places to pay their offerings and connect to their spiritual selves.