The Sri Krishnan Temple, built over 130 years ago in one of the oldest temple in Singapore. Hanuman Beem Singh set up a shrine for Lord Krishna under a banyan tree in Waterloo Street in 1870. It was to cater to the needs of the large Hindu community from North and South India living in the neighbourhood bounded by Bras Basah Road, Victoria Street and Albert Street. As the congregation grew so did the temple. The temple management was passed on to Hanuman Beem Singh’s son. Humna Somapah before Joognee Ammal took over. During her tenure, sculptors brought in from South India built the main shrine and dome and the temple was consecrated in 1933.
In 1935, V. Pakirisamy Pillai, an Indian philanthropist, took over the leadership of the temple. It was largely through his efforts that the temple was developed on a grand scale. In 1958, he constructed a concrete mandapam (hall) in memonry of his mother and a two-storey ancillary building. The consecration ceremony was held in 1959.
In 1987, his son, Sivaraman initiated another major redevelopment, which included the construction of a colourful and artistically ornate main entrance. Sculptors from South India also added five additional sanctums to a centrally placed Shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna. A consecration ceremony was held for the redeveloped temple in 1989. To serve the Hindu community better, the multi-purpose hall was re-built as a four-storey building with a basement and temple structures such as the main entrance were renovated extensively in 2001. The consecration ceremony for this phase of development of the temple was held on 24 November 2002.
Today, the Sri Krishnan Temple continues on its original site and its architecture remians simple yet respledent in Hindu ornaments and detail. The largest ceremony at the temple is the celebration of the birthday if Lord Krishna when thousands of Hindus congregate here. It is also a very popular venue for Hindu weddings.
In Revent years, the temple has also become a key point in promoting religious harmony in Singapore. Other ethnic and religious groups, for example, the devotees of nearby Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, regularly participate in its ceremonies.