II shree ganeshaya namaha II

SHREE GANESH IN SINGAPORE Singapore was known as Simhapura. About a thousand years ago, when Vijayanagar Empire of South India was at its zenith, a crown prince marched with a powerful naval force and captured a strategic island in the Indian Ocean. He found that it was habituated by mighty lions. Sanskrit Pandits named it as Simhapura an abode of Lions. In course of time, British ruled. They could not pronounce the words Simhapura and named it as Singapore (like Bangalore, Mangalore etc) Vijayanagar empire flourished and thousands of Hindu Tamils, Telegu and other communities settled down in this strategic island. Later Chola Kings also ruled these places and established Hindu temples and as they spread to nearby places like Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia etc. installed Hindu deities and worshipped them. Even today, a large number of Tamil speaking Indians are found in Singapore and some of them are holding ministerial positions. This year, a Tamilian Mr. S. R. Nathan was honoured with a highest award for serving as President of Singapore for ten years. At present, Dy. Prime Minister is Mr. Shanmugharatnam. Tamil is one of the official languages and is printed on currency notes of Singapore too. Indians must have established one Ganesh Mandir in an area which is an area what is now known as Katong. With the passage of history, nothing is known about this temple. However, about 150 years ago in 1850, a magnificent idol of Shree Ganesh was discovered under a Champaka tree Senpaga in Tamil. Soon people gathered and a modest temple was built for Ganapati now known as Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple 19, Ceylon Road. This Temple was renovated from time to time and expanded. Now a magnificient temple was built and a Maha Kumbabeshegam Ceremony was performed on 3rd February 1930. Government gives all encouragement and support to this Mandir. At the entrance, there is impressive Gopuram in South Indian Style showing idols of Ganesh, Parvati etc. The stone idol of Sri Vinayagar is prominently seen to devotees with dazzling silver kavach. To the right of Ganesh is temple of Shree Jagadeshwar : father of Ganesh and to the left is temple of Sri Amba : Shri Parvati Devi. In the compound, temples of Shri Subramaniaswamy Muruga, Nageshwar etc are aslp built. 2nd World War 1942 When devotees were visiting this mandir in large numbers every day, Japans emperor attacked Singapore with bombs and lethal weapons. British Army retreated and a bomb fell on Vinayagar Temple and the whole temple was destroyed. Miraculously, the big idol of Shri Ganesh was intact. Parashudhara (holder of Parashu iron weapon) wont tolerate the insult meted out by the Japanese soldiers! Very soon Japan soldiers were seen running out and forces of freedom and democracy under the leadership of Louis Mountbatten drove them away!! New Government gave all encouragement to

rebuild the temple and all Singaporeans contributed their might. Today, a magnificient Mandir stands with a Rajagopuram in front in Chola King style. I washed my feet before entering and with no footwear or socks, entered the magnificient temple. Mangalaarti was in progress and priests were chanting Sanskrit Mantras. First time after about six weeks of stay, I felt a strange divine happiness. Just then priest brought Aarti and Kirit for blessing. The Mandir is managed by Colonese Tamils and today it is a Heritage. Every Indian visitor should make it a point to visit this temple. As I stepped out, I was amazed to see a Udipi Ganesh Vilas restaurant full of Ganesh devotees. In the far off land, 5000 kms away from home in an island, who will not be pleased to see Vinayagar and taste Udipi dishes!!! Namaskar. Collected from sources by : Vasant Nagesh Shanbhag