Sri Manmatha Karuneshvarar Temple

Known as the Kallang Gasworks Sivan Temple in the 19th century, after the Kallang Municipal Gas Works on Kallang Road, Sri Manmatha Karuneshvarar Temple was established in January 1888. Though there was no concentration of Hindus in Kallang, many Hindu employees of the gasworks lived in quarters close to the depot and nearby Kampung Bugis. These Hindu workers set up a shrine and installed Lord Siva as the main deity. 

In 1909, a piece of land measuring 8,255 square feet was granted on lease for 99 years to Soona Veloo Vendir, Nagalingam Kathirayson, Annamalai Merapa Komarasamy and Veerapatra Mudarliar for building a concrete temple. However, the plan ran into financial difficulties. In 1934, two Indian philanthropists, V Pakirisamy Pillai and his brother V Narayanasamy Pillai, were approached for help by the trustees and the Hindu devotees who worshipped at the temple. The brothers funded the reconstruction of the temple in memory of their late father, Koona Veloo Pillay, who is considered one of Singapore’s Indian pioneers. 

In 1937, the government appointed the Pillai brothers and Balakrishna Murugasu Thirunalan as new trustees. After the consecration ceremony on 19 August 1937, a Committee of Management was formed, with A V Irullappa Pillay, a foreman of the Kallang Municipal Gas Works, as Chairman. Following the initial consecration, further renovations were undertaken in 1951 and 1974, with the addition of sanctums for other deities.

After Kallang Gasworks was relocated in 1997 to Senoko Gasworks, the Hindu workers and their families were no longer the mainstay of the temple. However, the temple was recognised for its historical and architectural distinction, combining traditional South Indian temple architecture with some non-traditional features, such as the pillars in the main sanctum area. In 2014, it was granted a long lease of life by the government.



For more information
“Mr. V. Narayanasamy.” Morning Tribune, 12 October 1937, 6. (From Newspaper SG)
“A Little History along the Kallang River.” Remember Singapore, 1 November 2016. https://remembersingapore.org/2016/11/01/kallang-river-history-landmarks/
“Hindus consecrate newly renovated Kallang temple.” The Straits Times, 25 April 1997, 17. (From Newspaper SG)

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The information in this article is valid as of August 2025 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. If you have any feedback on this article, please submit here.