164-year-old Singapore temple reconsecrated

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong led some 40,000 devotees and four Ministers at an iconic 164-year-old Hindu temple’s reconsecration ceremony on Sunday, following the completion of its $3.4 million restoration work.

“This 164-year-old temple has been undergoing renovations for the last 1.5 years to prepare for its re-consecration, which takes place every 12 years,” he tweeted on Sunday, referring to the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in the Little India precinct. Minister of Trade and Industry S. Iswaran said the occasion reflected the diversity in Singapore community.

This was the first time Mr. Lee visited a Hindu consecration ceremony since he assumed office in 2004.

A team of 20 artisans, known as sthapathis,were flown in from India for restoration work. Built in 1854, the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple was declared a national monument by Singapore’s Preservation of Monuments Board in 1978.