GETTING HERE:
From either NE3/EW16 Outram Park or NE4 Chinatown MRT stations, get into Telok Ayer Road and then turn left into South Bridge Road. Alternatively, disembark at CityBuzz stops C2-#5 (Sri Mariamman Temple) or C2-#6 (Kreta Ayer).

DESCRIPTION:
Right smack in the middle of Chinatown, Sri Mariamman Temple lays witness to the peaceful co-existence of various religions in Singapore. There are a number of mosques here too. It is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, completed in 1827 by an Indian contractor named Narayana Pillai.

While the Hindu's temples of South Asian influence are less spectacular than the Balinese ones (yes, I did find the latter to be more absorbing, architecturally speaking), its towering gopuram can be considered as spectacular. After all, this is Singapore's ultimate landmark for Hindu devotees in the city-state.

As usual, non-Hindu visitor are not allowed to get into the compound. What more during my visit, there was an event going on at the temple. It was slightly crowded than usual, and the temple was wrapped in religious festive decorations.

MY VERDICT:
Architecturally distinguished, although I did not find it spectacular.