30) Caring is the core of this festive season
The hall behind the Sri Mariamman Temple is a place to offer a reunion dinner to those new immigrants and the underpriviledged. Early days, immigrants from overseas go through hard life, many were earning token just to fill up their stomach. So it is understandable that they live alone and did not start a family. This temple was also used as a refuge camp to hold new immigrants. During Chinese New Year, you will see them gather here to celebrate the festive season irregardless of race or religion.
This is the front view of Sri Mariamman Temple. It is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. It was founded in 1827 and built to dedicate Mariamman, a Goddess, famous for her healing power of epidemic diseases.
Banana and mango leaves hanging over the temple door, welcome and purify visitors with a fresh reborn life.
Mango leave will withered after a few days and closed up by itself, this symbolizes a humble society, caring for the surrounding and to make way for their passing by.
Isn’t it sending a clear message across? Being caring and benevolent are the cores of this festive season!
AddGrainOnEarth 
February 7, 2013 at 12:48 am
Your far away lullaby words, the same as the song life sings always here.
February 7, 2013 at 7:36 am
Haha! When you have insomnia, come to me, I’ll cure you! 🙂
February 7, 2013 at 12:52 am
I love learning about holidays & festivities from othe cultures. Thanks for sharing the beauty and it’s meaning.
February 7, 2013 at 7:38 am
Thanks for your reading and compliments! 🙂
February 7, 2013 at 1:03 am
its togetherness ya Syd…celebrating, sharing and caring as well… 🙂
can I come for CNY? its a 5 hrs drive down only… 😉
February 7, 2013 at 7:37 am
Why not? I am not the immigration department? 🙂
February 7, 2013 at 7:43 am
hahaha..and so what if you’re the immigration..? I don’t do nothing wrong..;)
February 7, 2013 at 8:22 am
I mean you can come anytime, I can’t stop you mah? 🙂
February 7, 2013 at 8:24 am
I know Syd..you’re always joking…people around you must be having laughs all the time..or at least smiling…
i was joking as well about going there..though I know it is possible for me bu
February 7, 2013 at 11:00 am
Just in case you feel like coming here to find me but don’t know where I live.
Just shout over the check point!
I think most of the people will tell you where Sydney is! Haha! 🙂
February 7, 2013 at 11:10 am
ya ya..and they will say” Hey you silly girl..Sydney is in Australia!” hahaha 😉
February 7, 2013 at 8:29 am
akhh I haven’t finish with my comments but how come it went thru..?
Well Happy CNY ya Syd..have fun and collect many ANG BOA yaaa 😀
February 7, 2013 at 7:38 am
I like the mango leaf symbol of humility. I like a symbol that comes from nature instead of something man made.
February 7, 2013 at 7:41 am
The information was provided by one tourist guide.
When he told me that, it really touches my heart! 🙂
It just like meme!
February 7, 2013 at 10:11 am
You’ve already explained about the mango leaves hung over the temple door, I’m just curious, how about the banan leaves? What is it mean?
February 7, 2013 at 10:56 am
Is sign of welcome and purity. 🙂
February 7, 2013 at 11:05 am
Thank you, and have a nice day 🙂
February 7, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Gorgeous, marvelous, wonderful post. But what else does wonderful, kind Sydney post? Thank you Sydney!!!
February 7, 2013 at 6:41 pm
I’m still far off, I know!
Thanks, cindy! I got many Blogger friends staying next door! 🙂
February 7, 2013 at 10:43 pm
Thank you for this post, Sydney. I love to learn about life in Singapore.
February 8, 2013 at 12:03 am
Cathy, I’m glad you like the other side of my country! 🙂
February 8, 2013 at 9:30 am
Is this the one in Chinatown? or another temple?
February 8, 2013 at 10:31 am
Yes, this is in Chinatown district, along South Bridge road. 🙂
February 9, 2013 at 1:09 am
Liked the architecture!
February 9, 2013 at 4:13 pm
Thank you! 🙂