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Built in the year 1839, the Thian Hock Keng Temple is the oldest Chinese
temple in Singapore. It was the most important center of worship for
immigrants who migrated Hokkien.
Built on the site of a joss house constructed by Hokkien sailors, it was
the place where seafarers gave thanks and prayed for a safe passage to
Singapore.
Today, young and old alike come to this temple to worship and give
thanks to Ma Zhu Po, the goddess of the sea. The temple itself is laid
out along a traditional north-south axis and is the home of shrines to
numerous deities.
Construction of the temple was facilitated and paid for by individual
donors, the main donor being Hokkien leader Tan Tock Seng (1798-1850).
In the year 2000, the temple was renovated and underwent a huge
facelift.
Key Points of Interest in Visiting the Temple
 1.
Rear Hall
The shrine dedicated to the moon goddess, Yue Gong Niang, who is
worshipped alongside Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy, may be found in the
rear hall. Another shrine ensconced here is that dedicated to the sun
god, Ri Gong Tai Zi.
2. Secondary Shrines
In the side hall to the left of the main courtyard stand shrine to Kai
Zhang Shen Wang (a pioneer) and Cheng Huang (a local deity).
3. The Pagoda
Constructed to house the first Chinese school in Singapore, Chong Wen Ge,
built in 1849.
 4.
Ceiling
Take a look up and peruse the temple’s ceiling. Here, visitors may find
themselves impressed by the elaborately gilded carvings on the temple’s
ceiling depicting stories from Chinese folklore. These carvings have
been among the temple features which benefited in the renovation having
been painstakingly restored by craftsmen from China in a project that
was completed in June 2000.
5. The Main Hall
Contains the image of Ma Zhu Po, the sea goddess. She is flanked by Guan
Gong , the god o f
war, and Pao Sheng Da Di, the protector of life.
6. The Door
If first impressions may be gleaned just by looking at a door, then the
very impressive main entrance to the temple will surely reap high marks.
The massive doors are decorated with carvings of temple guardians from
Chinese mythology.
7. Granite Pillars
The intricate granite columns which
 support
the temple roof were made and imported from China and are impressively
carved with entwined dragons.
8. The Furnace
In this place, burning money is not a bad thing…paper money that is. The
furnace is where paper money offerings and other gifts are burned to
placate the spirits of the dead.
9. Ancestor Tablets
The spirit of ancestors are believed to reside in these tablets which
are venerated and prayed to with special rituals and
prayers.
10. Roof Decorations
On the temple’s roof ridge stand twin dragons that embody the principles
of yin and yang. Between them is the “night-shining pearl”, a glass
globe which represents the sun.
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