251 Yishun Avenue 3
Along Yishun Avenue 3, you can see one of the most outstanding landmarks in Yishun – the Sree Maha Mariamman Temple.
According to reports, the origins of the temple date back to the 1930s in 12th mile, Sembawang, when some Hindus worshipped a timber statue of Sree Maha Mariamman. Later, a shrine was built for the deity in a rubber estate. In the 1940s, the shrine was moved to Sembawang Hills Estate where there was a sizeable Indian population and no Hindu temple nearby.
Later in 1947, it was relocated to Mandai Road, near the former Nee Soon Village and the junction with Upper Thomson Road. By then, it had become a temple which was the focal point for Indians staying around Nee Soon and Sembawang then. Religious and cultural activities were organised regularly.
With the onset of urbanisation, the temple had to relocate in the early 1990s. After much consideration, the temple’s committee decided to move the temple to Yishun as there were many Hindus in the new town.
In 1996, Sree Maha Mariamman Temple moved from Mandai Road to its present site at Yishun Avenue 3. Its move was marked with a procession of a silver chariot in which its deities, including Sri Mariamman, were transported. The building, which was predominantly pink in colour, was consecrated in 1997. Unfortunately, in August 2010, the temple caught fire and had to be rebuilt.
Today, the newly-built temple continues to be a religious and community centre for Hindus staying in the northern part of Singapore. It is also active in social welfare and community work.