Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnanamuneeswarar Temple

Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnanamuneeswarar Temple(AVGMT) is the first Hindu Temple in Singapore to have brought together three religious abodes under one roof-Arulmigu Velmurugan Temple(Silat Road), Shri Krishna Bhagawan-Durga Parameswari Temple and Sri Mariamman Muneeswarar Temple (both were at Jalan Kayu). Before coming to its new location at Sengkang(Rivervale Crescent), a transit temple was built next to the Shri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. 

AVGMT set a new standard in Hindu temple development in June 2004 with the conduct of the Sangustaapanam Ceremony, where 1008 sangus(conch shells), a symbol of Goddess Lakshmi, believed to bring luck and prosperity, were placed ceremoniously in the base of the main sanctum structure by devotees.

Since its inception, the Darma Muneeswaran Temple on Serangoon North Avenue 1 is in operation. The shrine was built under a Bodhi tree and began as a small shrine in 1900. The shrine was probably built to guard a group of 30 Indian families who lived in the area and were mostly engaged in cattle-rearing. A Muneeswaran god was often installed at an estate village's entrance as a guardian. In those days, the shrine consisted of a semi-spherical, flat granite stone and an inscribed Trident, which was placed beneath a tree.

The Trident is still at its original location under the Bodhi tree. However, the granite rock has been embedded beneath Lord Darma Muneeswaran's current temple complex. Many Kampong Hwi Yah residents claimed to have seen Lord Darma Muneeswaran in visions around the 1930s. Pitchai Pillai, Allagappan Konnar and other Sembawang Rubber Estate leaders decided to build a better shrine for Lord Darma Muneeswaran.

The Temple was maintained by the Hindus in 1969. They made improvements to the temple and added deities such as Sri Mariamman and Sri Vinayagar. Each deity was also housed in a temporary shed. The concrete structure that Lord Darma Muneeswaran built was placed under the Bodhi Tree.

Sri Mariamman's sanctum, which was located between Sri Vinayagar and Sri Murugan, was originally installed. This orientation can still be seen in the temple complex today. The Darma Muneeswaran Temple Society was registered the temple in 1980. The temple received a Temporary Occupation License TOL, which was dated back to May 1955, thanks to Dr.

Lau Teik Soon. By then the Temple s regular worshippers included devotees from Serangoon Gardens and Serangoon North. The temple's primary focus at that time was to provide religious services for its devotees. It became clear that Temple facilities could not meet growing congregation needs by the end that decade.

Darma Muneeswaran Temple Society members unanimously agreed, at its Annual General Meeting, to construct a new temple complex on September 23, 1989. The new temple complex would house deities in appropriate sanctums, and offer additional services for devotees. The temple began the acquisition of its TOL site as well as the adjacent piece of land in June 1992 with Dr. Lau Teik Soon's support.

The temple also began to draw up plans and raise funds for the construction of a new structure. The temple management acquired the property in 1995 after a lengthy process that lasted three years. It was then granted a 30 year lease. Plans for the building's new construction were presented to authorities in late 1996.

The new Temple complex was designed to meet Hindu architectural standards while keeping the Bodhi Tree, an iconic symbol of the Temple's historic roots. It was required to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding landscape in order to achieve this modern, sophisticated look. The new building received approval in the middle of 1998. The Balasthaapanam ceremony, which took place from 12-14 September 1997 to move the deities to temporary structures, was approved in mid-1998.

On 1 May 1998, Mr S Iswaran (then Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC), graced the groundbreaking ceremony. Construction of the new temple complex, which cost 3.5 million dollars, began in May 1998. The Maha Kumbhabishegam ceremony was held 11 June 2000 to dedicate the structure and its deities. He was the architect of the temple, and Vikas Ratna K Pitchai Gurukkal led the ceremony.

Matthias Yao Chih was the Minister of State at that time in the office of Prime Minister. Darma Muneeswaran Temple was able to establish itself not only as a religious place but as an active community member upon its consecration. It was unwavering in its determination to return the generosity of the community that had donated to build the temple. Bursaries were offered to students in need at primary and secondary schools across all ethnicities and religions.

Drama Muneeswaran temple has distributed bursaries to more than 500,000 students since 2003. While bursaries are useful, the temple believed it was just as important to recognize and highlight those who have excelled so that they can be an example and role model for others. This led to the creation of the Munneru program. The temple also emphasized the importance of having an inclusive approach to success.

The temple also introduced bursaries in 2010 and awards for academic excellence. To this day, the temple continues to support the community. It serves everyone from children to seniors. The temple encourages all students to apply each year for bursaries.

They are a source of inspiration and support for future generations. The Munneru program has made the temple a supportive function that helps students to develop their skills and encourage them through enrichment classes. To give back, the temple actively supports community and social events. To improve the quality of teaching and learning arts, the temple established a Drama, Music and Dance Academy.

The academy has become known as DMT Music and Dance Academy. Darma Muneeswaran Temple is visited by several thousand people every week. The numbers are highest during special festivals and poojas. Over 800 individuals, young and old alike, take part in non-religious activities every week.

Darma Muneeswaran Temple, a temple compound that had been in existence for 12 years, decided to make it more modern with sculptures, new features and a basement. This was to better serve the religious and secular requirements of the devotees. The total cost of these additions and modifications was estimated at 2 million. They were completed in May 2012.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the basement were held in June 2012. The Balasthaapanams for Rajagopurams and Vimaanams including all deities, took place on July 3rd 2012 and December 9th 2012 respectively. The additions to the existing building were progressing in parallel. It was completed just in time to allow for the re-consecration, also called second Maha Kumbhabishegam.

This took place on May 1, 2013. Its devotees feel a sense "d j vu" when they visit the second Maha Kumbhabishegam. The second Maha Kumbhabishegam took place 15 years ago, exactly fifteen years after the original groundbreaking ceremony. It was held on May 1, 1998.

S Ishwaran was the second Maha Kumbhabishegam's guest. He is also Minister in Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Homes Affairs Trade and Industry. The sculptures were again led by Mr S Nagarajan Sthapathiyar, while Vikas Ratna K Pitchai Gurukkal led the re-consecration. Without the vision of the Management Committee and Fundraising Committee and Vikas Ratna Dr K Pitchai Gurukkal, the upgrading of the temple complex as well as its consecration ceremonies wouldn't have been possible.

Anbe Sivam