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SINGAPORE: One of Singapore's oldest Hindu temples was re-consecrated on Friday after extensive renovation works.
Thousands of devotees attended the ceremony at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road, which hosts the annual Thaipusam festival.
Also present at the auspicious event were several Cabinet ministers and MPs.
They included Senior Minister S Jayakumar, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Law Minister K Shanmugam, Senior Minister of State S Iswaran and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Indranee Rajah.
The ceremony was conducted by high priests from South India, Singapore and Malaysia.
It took place at the auspicious time just after 10am.
Hindu temples usually undergo renovations once every 12 years, and the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple has spent some S$5 million on repair works so far.
Among the improvements are a more elderly- and disabled-friendly multi-purpose hall, a new staff quarters and multi-purpose complex.
The renovation works are expected to be completed by the middle of next year.
Writing in the souvenir magazine, President SR Nathan noted that the Sri
Thendayuthapani Temple is renowned for the role it plays during the Thaipusam festival.
He said devotees of different communities and races congregate to fulfil their vows and the festival attracts large numbers of people, requiring hundreds of volunteers to manage and conduct the event in an orderly manner.
Mr Nathan said the spirit displayed by devotees, participants and volunteers reflected Singapore's racial and religious harmony in action.
Also writing in the magazine, Law Minister K Shanmugam said the temple has gone beyond its religious duties to help others by making donations to organisations like Sinda and the President's Challenge Fund.
It also regularly hosts tours for grassroots bodies to help foster a greater understanding of the religious faith.
For 45 days starting Saturday, the temple will have special prayers and cultural programmes by leading artistes from Singapore and India as part of the post-consecration celebrations.
Once that is over, the temple will start preparing for next year's Thaipusam festival, which falls on 30 January.
- CNA/ir
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