We stopped in front of this one Hindu temple - very large and beautiful. The gates were closed and locked, so the driver just pulled off the road, kind of sideways into the little bit of driveway available to us - just to get us out of traffic. I proceeded to get out and started taking pictures through the iron fence. Then this big car pulls up behind us. It's half in the road and half in the driveway with us. Then the horn starts honking! I'm trying to get back in the taxi so we can get out of the way. That horn just keeps honking at us. Ok - you know me - I get out of the taxi and walk back to him, intending to tell him ever so politely in my best Southern manner to knock it off - we're moving out of his way - give us a second and lay off that damn horn.
Before I can say anything , this man sticks his head out the window, tells me he is the director for the temple, he'll unlock the gates and I can come inside. I thanked him and we drove in through the gate which he has opened with the remote control. I get out of the taxi and start taking pictures again of the outside of the temple. He comes over and tells me that if I will take off my shoes, I can come inside and take all the pictures I want. I was the only person there and just got to wander around for about an hour asking him all sorts of questions. It was so unbelievably beautiful - very bright colored and so incredibly detailed oriented. The taxi driver told me quietly to be sure and leave a monetary donation as we had not brought any fruit or red flowers to show honor and respect. I did and was very thankful the taxi driver reminded me. I haven't gotten an explanation on the importance and symbolism of the fruit and red flowers.
At the very end of this entry, there is some interesting information and explanations that he gave me about the Hindu religion. If that doesn't interest you, then enjoy the pictures and skip that part!
This is the outside of the temple. It was at the far end of northwestern part of the island. As with all of the temples, it is covered, but open air. The details are incredible. There is a front door, but the sides and back are all open air.
Here's where you leave your shoes - in the parking lot in front of the temple.
These lockers just sit out there all the time.
Inside the big temple, they have all these smaller temples for more individual gods that the participants of this particular temple deem to be important. Some of the other ones get a little niche in the wall. Note the stained glass windows and the medallions on the ceiling and the floor.
There is a clock on one of these buildings. I didn't notice it when I was there or I would have asked why it was there - just saw it in the pictures later - looks very out of place, doesn't it?
You can see where the open areas are with no windows or doors.
Check out some of the names of our local Hindu temples!
Dhandayudhapani Temple
Sri Balasubramaniam Temple
Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnana Muneeswaran Temple
Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple
There were stained glass windows high up encircling the whole temple.
Officially, there are 26 Hindu temples in Singapore, but you see small makeshift alters and mini-temples everywhere. All along the streets, in homes, in businesses, on the sidewalks - you see these with offerings and incense burning. Stores that sell small portable mini-temples do a huge business.
I found this one as I was walking along the beach. It's in the area where the fishermen pull their boats up out of the water. They were kind enough to let me take a picture of it, but they didn't want to be in the picture. Just sitting there among the trees about 12 feet from the water's edge.
One of the Indian women I have gotten to know invited me to the “children’s hour” at their local neighborhood Hindu temple. I call it Hindu Saturday School. It was, of course, on Saturday! The kids were very sweet and well-behaved. The lesson for that day was all about tolerating and respecting others, along with accepting responsibility for your own actions and how those actions affect others. All the kids listened, then actively participated in the discussion. These are a few of the kids - they ranged in age from 6 to 12 yrs old.
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Shari - love you! Thanks for all your help!
Abby – are you planning how you will surprise us at the airport this time?
Doug - hope you're feeling better!
Patsy - I hear you have the best brownies in town - Abby says so!
Christy & Beth - how's Ani? Smell gone? Pats and scratches from me!
Karen - Going crazy with those houses? Are we having fun yet?
Nancy - good to hear from you!
Jo – How's everything in Baton Rouge these days?
Jo – How's everything in Baton Rouge these days?
Cathy - everything going ok?
Heather - still, still
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For those of you interested, here's the other info! This was taken from a book the temple director gave me explaining some of the things I was asking about. Very interesting!
Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is a diverse system of thought sometimes referred to as henotheistic - devotion to a single "God" of one’s own interpretation, while accepting and acknowledging the existence of other gods.
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It is known as a conglomerate of beliefs and traditions. It has no single founder.
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It is the world's third largest religion following that of Islam and Christianity, with approximately one billion followers, of whom about 905 million live in India and Nepal. Other countries with large Hindu populations include Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.
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Hinduism contains a vast body of scriptures that are divided as to revealed and remembered. These scriptures include theology, philosophy and mythology, providing spiritual insights and guidance in the practice of everyday living.
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It is an extremely diverse religion. Basic beliefs overlap, but there are also many different practices and traditions overall. Each person must decide things for themselves and act upon them accordingly.
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Prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include *Dharma (ethics/duties); *Samsāra (the continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth); *Karma (action and subsequent reaction), *Moksha (liberation from the cycle of samsara - rebirth), and the *various yogas (paths or practices to enlightment).
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Hindus believe that the spirit or soul—the true "self" of every person, is eternal.
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The Hindu scriptures refer to celestial entities, called Devas, "the shining ones", which translates into English as "gods" or "heavenly beings”. The devas are an integral part of Hindu culture and are depicted in art, architecture and through icons, and mythological stories. Many Hindus worship a particular form or devas as their chosen ideal; the choice being based upon their individual preference, regional and family traditions. These devas can be men, women or an animal; real or mythical. These choices are reflected in their temple decorations also.
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Karma translates literally as action, work or deed and can be described as the "moral law of cause and effect". The concept of never-failing karma relates to one's personality, characteristics and actions. It is said that karma binds together the interlockiing ideas and beliefs of free will and destiny.
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The notion of reincarnation and karma is a strong premise in Hindu thought. It is explained: Just as a person puts on new clothes and discards the old ones, similarly a soul enters a new material body, leaving and discarding the old body.
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This provides ephemeral pleasures, which leads people to desire rebirth in order to enjoy the pleasures of a perishable body. However, escaping the cycle of rebirth is believed to ensure everlasting eternal happiness and peace. It is thought that after several reincarnations, one eventually seeks unity with the cosmic spirit.
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The ultimate goals of life for a Hindu are:
1.the realization of a union with one’s own interpretation of God;
2.the realization of an eternal relationship with one’s own interpretation of God;
3.the realization of the unity of all existence;
4.perfect unselfishness;
5.knowledge of self;
6.liberation from ignorance;
7.attainment of perfect mental peace;
8.detachment from worldly desires.
To reach these goals one would then be liberated and end the cycle of rebirth, thus insuring everlasting eternal peace and happiness.
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It is a religion with a framework and guidance, but no universal scripture, not one supreme god or being and a wide latitude for personal thought, action and belief. Respect, responsibility and self discipline in all areas of life is what one aspires to. You are free to worship whatever form you deem to be supreme in your life, while acknowledging that there are always others.
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There is no belief in hell as in the Christian religion, nor the belief in any type of punishment, just striving towards achieving eternal peace and happiness.
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Many, but not all, Hindus are vegetarians. Some allow alcohol, many do not.
**As was explained to me, this is just a few pieces of information given as a very brief overall snapshot of Hinduism.
