On the morning of February 9, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong joined over 10,000 devotees at the Sri Siva-Krishna Temple in Marsiling Rise for a consecration ceremony that marked a significant moment in the temple’s spiritual history.
The devotees began arriving in the pre-dawn hours, with a sizeable crowd gathering by 6:30 am, reports said.
This consecration ceremony, which ensures the temple remains a focal point for spiritual activities and strengthens its role as a community center, is only the third in the temple’s history, following similar ceremonies in 1996 and 2008.
The Sri Siva-Krishna Temple is unique in Singapore, as it is the only one dedicated to Sri Siva-Krishna, an amalgamation of both Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna. This powerful combination symbolises the unified concepts of creation, preservation, and destruction, as embodied by these two deities.
The day’s events began at 7:00 am with preliminary rituals held in a tent located about 100 meters from the temple. By 8:00 am, the procession of the gadam (holy vessels) took place, with vessels containing holy water being brought into the temple in a ceremonial march.
The highlight of the day was the kumbabishegam, or main consecration ceremony, which unfolded atop the temple’s gopuram (main tower). During this sacred ritual, holy water was poured from the top of the tower and the temple’s domes, while joint prayers were recited by priests. Devotees gathered outdoors, watching in awe as the ceremony took place.
An exciting moment occurred when an eagle circled the temple tower three times, reported The Straits Times.
Devotees cheered, interpreting the bird’s flight as an auspicious sign. The eagle was seen as a representation of Garuda, a Hindu deity and the totem or vehicle of Lord Vishnu, often depicted as an eagle, further heightening the spiritual significance of the event.
Prime Minister Wong, the guest of honor, attended the ceremony alongside Senior Minister of State for Defence and Manpower Zaqy Mohamad, both of whom are MPs for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.
They were seated outside with other guests before being invited into the temple by temple president Suresh Kumar. Inside, they witnessed the pouring of holy water in the main sanctum and the first lamp offering to the temple’s primary deity.
As a token of appreciation, temple officials presented PM Wong and the senior minister of state with shawls and garlands. Head priest Nagaraja Shivachariyar also performed a traditional blessing by tying headgear on the Prime Minister.
