Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples, in the heart of Little India.

Enter one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples, the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, dedicated to the goddess and destroyer of evil, Sri Veeramakaliamman or Kali.

This distinctive monument in the heart of Little India has fascinating stories to tell about the colonial Singapore.

The first pioneers

One of the temple’s first names was Soonambu Kambam Kovil, or “temple of the lime village” in Tamil.

From his earliest days, he was linked to the first migrant workers from India, who would have worshiped the goddess to feel safe in a new foreign land.

One of his first names was Soonambu Kambam Kovil, or the “temple of the lime village” in Tamil. Many Indians who prayed at the temple worked in local lime kilns. Lime was a building material used at the time.

During the Japanese air raids of World War II, many people sought physical refuge at the temple and prayed for the protection of Kali. As luck – or fate – would have done, the temple and all of its statues escaped the bombing unscathed.

A spectacular experience


In the 1980s, major reconstruction work took place, with the addition of a Rajagopuram (front tower) as well as eight main domes and several other minor domes. The annex building was also constructed behind the temple.

It was again renovated in 1999, the dedication ceremony of the temple taking place in 2000.

In June 2014, the temple had another dedication ceremony which marked the culmination of major restoration work, as well as the construction of a new six-story building with various new facilities, including a wedding hall, a hall multipurpose and staff accommodation.

With its colorful and intricate statues and details, the temple remains one of the most spectacular experiences in Singapore.