HINDU Chandi Maha Yagam ... Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) with the Sabha spans over several decades and is still growing strong with numerous joint activities.
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The Maha Kumbabhishegam (consecration ceremony) of the Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple
(SVKT) at 2001 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh was held on Sunday, 7 April 2013 between the auspicious time of 9.00am to 11.00am with much grandeur, witnessed by more than ten thousand devotees and well-wishers from all over Singapore and many from across the Causeway too.
Joining them were Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr
1SVKT holds
Mahakumbabishegam2
SKG Activities
Fund Raiser for Veda Niwas
SMT’s Lunar New Year Treat3
HEB-Ashram Awareness Day
Free Health Screening4
Makara Vilakku for Swamy Ayyappan
Thaipusam 2013
Maha Shivaratri 2013
5Pongal Festival 2013
Satha Chandi Maha Yagam
at SMT
Gita Jayanti Celebrations6
Redevelopment Works at SVKT
8DMT’s Maha Kumbabishegam
20139
Important Festivals10
Rasi Predictions for Vijaya Tamil New Year
11Kid’s Zone
SVKT HOLDS MAHAKUMBABISHEGAM
NEWSHINDU
A PUBLICATION OF THE HINDU ENDOWMENTS BOARD, SINGAPORE
www.heb.gov.sg
Issue 01/2013
Vijaya New Year GreetingsWe wish all devotees and well wishers a very Happy New Year. May we continue to enjoy the peace, prosperity, stability, racial and religious harmony which continue to be important values for multi-racial Singapore and its citizens.
HINDU NEWS – 1
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WHAT’S INSIDE
Tharman Shanmugaratnam and grassroots advisors and leaders from the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.
A team of 33 priests performed the consecration ceremony and its related preceding prayers and they were led by the Chief Priest of the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB), Sri Balachander Sivachariar and a senior priest from South India, Sri Sabesa Sivachariar.
Holy water being poured onto the kalasams (pinnacles) of the gopuram by HEB Chief Priest, Sri Balachander Sivachariar, during the Kumbabishegam
of this newsletter should be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. For further enquiries, please contact the Hindu Endowments Board, 397 Serangoon Road,
Designed & printed by Sun Media Pte Ltd, 20 Kramat Lane, #01-02 United House,
Orchard, Singapore 228773
COMMUNITY
8 February 2013 – The K2 students of Saraswathy Kindergarten (SKG) visited the Adventist Elder Home located at Kim Keat Avenue. Students performed for the residents and gave mandarin oranges to them to show their respect. The parents of the students contributed generously towards the home by providing provisions such as rice packets and canned food.
The residents enjoyed the student’s performance and their company. The students too enjoyed performing for them. One K2 student, Prasitha said, “That patti’s smile is so cute. I like it.” Then, she gave her a hug.
The K2 students proceeded to the Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery at Kim Keat Ave to join their Nursery and K1 friends. They were brought on a tour around the monastery and were given a brief introduction about the monastery and the Chinese culture.
15 March 2013 – 63 students participated in a theatrical adventure that brings a child’s imagination to life at the Kallang Theatre. This adventure entitled, ‘Gloobaloo and the Enchanted Forest’ provided an enchanting experience to all and it engaged the students throughout. It unleashed the students’ imaginative skill, as Gloobaloo and his friends brought them along a musical journey into the Enchanted Forest spreading the message subtly to love and protect the environment.
SKG Celebrates CNY
‘Gloobaloo and the Enchanted Forest’ at Kallang Theatre
FUND RAISER FOR VEDA NIWASSKG ACTIVITIES
SMT’S LUNAR NEW YEAR TREAT
The Singapore Dakshina Bharatha Brahmana Sabha (SDBBS) hosted a Gala Dinner on 2 February 2013 to raise funds for its Building Fund project. In 2011, the Sabha purchased its own
property – Veda Niwas – at Owen Road. Mr S Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry was the guest of honour. The association of the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) with the Sabha spans over several decades and is still growing strong with numerous joint activities. The SDBBS through its members extends assistance to the various HEB-administered temples, notable among them being Vedic chanting and performance of Laksharchanas.
Being situated in the heart of Chinatown, the Sri Mariamman
Temple (SMT) has adopted an annual tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year with the needy in Singapore. On 2 February 2013, 80 residents from Banyan Home, Tembusu Home and Kreta Ayer Seniors Activity Centre were treated to a sumptuous meal along with children from Club Rainbow. Ms Indranee Rajah (Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Education and Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC) was the guest of honour and gave out ‘ang pows’ and goodie bags to the residents and children, along with SMT Chairman, Dr K Vellayappan. Guests were also treated to an awe-inspiring lion dance.
Students performing for the residentsMr S Iswaran (in brown shirt) with the stalwarts from SDBBS
Ms Indranee Rajah handing out ‘ang pows’ to the residents
SMT Chairman, Dr K Vellayappan, handing out a goodie bag to a child from Club Rainbow
SKG students were treated to a theatrical show at the Kallang Theatre
2 – HINDU NEWS
COMMUNITY
On 17 March 2013, HEB-Ashram held its maiden Awareness Day at its premise. Recently, Ashram underwent a cyclical maintenance to improve the living conditions and facilities for
its residents at a cost of $450,000, which was financially supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Hindu Endowments Board (HEB). The refurbished centre was officially declared opened by the guest of honour, Mr Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad, Senior-Minister-of-State for Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Around 800 participants turned up for the event which included a walk-a-jog, free medical screening, educational and interactive exhibitions by government and non-government agencies, stage entertainment and other family oriented fringe activities for all residents, their families and the public.
HEB-ASHRAM AWARENESS DAY
FREE HEALTH SCREENING
The Hindu Endowments Board Medical Support Service (HEB MSS) sent 28 of its volunteers to the free health screening
jointly organised by Abdul Gaffoor Mosque, Masjid Bencoolen and Masjid Jamae Chulia on Saturday, 23 March 2013. At the event, free health screening was provided for the participants over 13 different stations which covered checks such as body mass index (BMI), glucose monitoring, blood pressure, diabetic and hypertension counselling, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques, breast screening education and colorectal screening among others. Around 150 people aged above 20 years old were screened. Those with abnormal results were referred to outpatient clinics for follow-up.
Mr Masagos flagging off the walk-a-jog
Stage games for children
HINDU NEWS – 3
HEB MSS volunteers at the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque with management committee members of the Mosque
FESTIVALS
MAKARA VILAKKU FOR SWAMY AYYAPPAN
MAHA SHIVARATRI 2013
THAIPUSAM 2013
The Makara Vilakku festival coincides with the famous Sabarimalai yatra for the devotees of Swamy Ayyappan in the months of Karthigai and
Margazhi (Dec–Jan). The festival culminates with a 3-day Makara
Vilakku pooja, organised by the Singapore Malayalee Hindu Samajam.
Despite the reduced size of Temple space because of the Maha Kumbabishegam related renovations, this year’s Makara Vilakku festival was celebrated in the same scale and grandeur as in previous years in the open field beside the Temple.
The Maha Shivaratri festival held on 10 March 2013 at the Sri Sivan Temple (SST) was attended by thousands of devotees throughout the day
and night. Religious ceremonies in conjunction with the festival, however, had begun much earlier. This year, for the first time, a grand ‘Thiruvilakku Poojai’ (blessed lamp prayer) was also held on 8 March 2013 to invoke the blessings of Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
Joining the devotees in the various events were Mr K Shanmugam (Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law) and Ms Tin Pei Ling (Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC).
On Maha Shivaratri night, devotees were treated to music, dances and religious discourses. Famous orator, Mr Sugisivam, spoke about ‘Ellam Sivamayam’. Devotees were also treated to melodious bhajans by Mr Manickavinaayagam and his group from South India as well as the local group from Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal Satsang. Local artists from SIFAS and Bharathaa Arts also rendered dance performances to enthral the devotees.
27 January 2013 – Thaipusam, having fallen on a Sunday this year, saw a huge turnout of participants accompanied by family and friends. This year, the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (SSPT) facilitated close to 12 000 participants and 30 000 devotees who came through its doors.
Because of the extensive on-going wedding hall renovations works, only the paal kudam and paal kavadi participants were allowed into the temple before 2.00am to ensure they had enough space to prepare for their prayers before setting off to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple (STT).
More volunteers were activated to facilitate the crowd movement within the
temple and along the procession route to ensure a smooth and successful completion of their thanksgiving to Lord Murugan. Mr Lawrence Wong, Acting Minister for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth also visited and spoke to a few devotees who were about to embark on their journey of faith.
This year, the Hindu Endowments Board also hosted High Commissioners, Ambassadors and the spouses of the Ambassadors of various nations at the Thaipusam event in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Following their visit to SSPT, they headed to STT to witness the arrival and dismantling of the kavadis.
The silver chariot procession reaches the HDB heartlands
‘Thiruvilakku Poojai’ was held for the first time, attracting a large participation
by devotees
Orator Sugisivam talks about ‘Ellam Sivamayam’
Ambasadors’ wives being briefed more about the process of assembling a spike kavadi
Makara Vilakku celebrations were held at an open field beside the Temple
This kavadi bearer decided to create a replica of a gopuram for
his kavadi this year
4 – HINDU NEWS
FESTIVALS
SATHA CHANDI MAHA YAGAM AT SMT
PONGAL FESTIVAL 2013
GITA JAYANTI CELEBRATIONS
The annual Sri Satha Chandi Maha Yagam for Goddess Sri Mariamman was held from 14–24 February 2013
at the Sri Mariamman Temple (SMT). During the yagam, the 700-verse Devi Mahatmyam was chanted in praise of the Goddess in her forms of Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. As part of the rituals of the yagam, ‘go poojai’ (cow worship) and ‘ashwa poojai’ (horse worship) were also performed. For the first time, devotees who participated in the yagam each received a blessed ‘Sri Yantram’, which is a symbol representing the Goddess’ power.
The Hindu Endowments Board annually supports the Pongal Celebrations organised by Little India Shopkeepers
and Heritage Association (LISHA) at Campbell Lane which were held from 10–19 January this year. The 10-day celebrations started off with the street lights switch on ceremony on 10 January, morphing Serangoon Road into a colourful festival village. Mr Lawrence Wong, Acting Minister for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth was the guest of honour. The related events held in conjunction with the Pongal celebrations included a colouring contest for children, mass pongal making, daily cultural shows, Mattu Pongal (prayers for the sacred cow), demonstration of rice harvesting, Pongal drama and even Pongal flash mobs (Indian folk style)!
The chants from the Bhagavad Gita filled the morning air as hundreds of devotees gathered and simultaneously offered ghee
and ‘homa dravyam’ (sacred items) into the eighteen homa kundams, each representing a chapter of the Gita. For the fifteenth consecutive year, the Gita Jayanti celebrations were being held under the auspices of the Hindu Endowments Board and marked the culmination of the year-long events led by the Arya Samaj (Singapore). Traditionally conducted at PGP Wedding Hall at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, this was the second time since 2004 that the event was held at non-temple grounds as the hall is currently undergoing a major reconstruction. This year’s celebrations were held on 24 March 2013 at plot of land near the PGP Wedding Hall bound by Rangoon Road, Race Course Road and Perumal Road.
Mass participation by devotees during the Gita Jayanti celebrations
Serangoon Road transformed into a festival village with the Pongal street light up
‘Ashwa poojai’ being performed as part of the Maha Yagam
The blessed ‘Sri Yantram’ given to
devotees
Annadanam prasadam (free lunch) for devotees who attended the event
Ms Sim Ann (Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of Education) trying out her hand at making pongal during the mass pongal making session
HINDU NEWS – 5
REDEVELOPMENT WORKS AT SRI VAIRAVIMADA KALIAMMAN TEMPLE
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6 – HINDU NEWS
PHOTO JOURNEY
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1. May 2011 – Home Hundial Project is launched2. May 2012 – Transfer of power from deity into kadam
(holy vessel)3. Cleaning the statue of the deity before reinstallation at
a temporary location4. October 2012 – Ancillary building redevelopment
works in progress5. Temple gopuram redevelopment works begin6. New vimanams (domes) being constructed7. Sthapati (sculptor) hard at work to produce the
ornamental deities to grace the sanctums8. Adding colour to life – vimanam painting works in
progress9. View of the three main vimanams (domes) of the
Temple being painted10. Freshly painted vimanams (domes) of the Temple11. The refurbished kodimaram (flag staff) of the Temple
clad in gold-plated copper sheets12. Almost completed – the main prayer hall13. View of the refurbished main sanctums of the Temple
– monotone and multicolour14. A beautiful new Kaliamman deity has been constructed
in the main sanctum15. New skylight roof protects devotees from inclement
weather16. Varnishing the main Temple door17. Completed yagasalai and all set for the
Kumbabishegam ceremonies to begin18. Pre-Kumbabishegam ceremonies in the Temple
PHOTO CAPTION
HINDU NEWS – 7
PHOTO JOURNEY
FESTIVALS
The Temple, dedicated to Goddess Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman, has been renovated at a cost of S$2.5 million. SVKT Chairman Mr K. Vijayendran said, “We are positive that devotees will appreciate the improvements that have been made to the temple. We have facilitated for better devotee flow between the different sanctums within the temple.”
Following the Maha Kumbabishegam, 48 days of Mandalabishegam prayers together with a cultural extravaganza of local and foreign Indian Fine Arts artists and exponents will fill the temple with devotional songs and music in the evenings from 8 April 2013 to 25 May 2013.
The Chairman and members of the HEB and SVKT thank one and all for their generous contributions by way of donations and their precious volunteer time in making the Maha Kumbabishegam 2013 a grand success. They thank Mediacorp News and Sumeru Media & Communications Private Limited for coverage of the Consecration Ceremony.
DMT’S MAHA KUMBHABISHEGAM 2013
The second Maha Kumbhabishegam or Consecration Ceremony of the 100-year old Darma Muneeswaran Temple (DMT) and its deities, located at 17 Serangoon North Ave 1, will be held on Wednesday, 1
May 2013 (Labour Day) from 10.30am to 11.30am. Devotees are cordially invited to participate in the preceding ceremonies and poojas, and witness the Maha Kumbhabishegam and be showered with the divine blessings of Lord Darma Muneeswaran on this auspicious and memorable occasion.
Devotees who require more information on the consecration ceremony and preceding poojas, such as the oil anointment ceremonies on 28 and 29 April 2013, may contact Darma Muneeswaran Temple directly at 62805058.
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8 – HINDU NEWSDarma Muneeswaran Temple
Holy water being poured onto the main deity, Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman, during the Consecration Ceremony
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam being greeted by SVKT Chairman, Mr K Vijayendran
Devotees rise to the chants of ‘Om Shakti’ while holy water is poured over the temple’s pinnacles
Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge. She holds the holy book and a rosary in her hands. She also holds and plays a musical instrument. Join the dots and colour the picture of the musical instrument in her hands. Identify the musical instrument.