Waterloo street Temple Tours

 

Home to various places of worship, the iconic Waterloo Street brings back vivid memories to Singaporeans who have seen this street and its surroundings transform over the years. A cultural tour of Singapore would not be complete without a walk down this bustling yet peaceful street.  

Never unusual to witness a photographer capturing the energy of the place , a Hindu and Chinese temple side by side and a church and synagogue all on one street is a sight to behold. Amidst these iconic places of worship is the Stamford Arts Centre and Objectifs – buildings that are part of the National Art’s Councils Arts Housing Scheme.  

Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple is a traditional Chinese temple situated at 178 Waterloo Street in Singapore. The temple is of significance to the Chinese Singaporeans who are Buddhists, and is believed to bring worshippers good luck after praying to the Kuan Yin, or Avalokiteśvara, the Goddess of Mercy.  

Located at 152 Waterloo Street, Sri Krishnan Temple is the only South Indian Hindu Temple dedicated entirely to Sri Krishna. Started in 1870, Beem Singh who according to family was deported by the British administration from India to Singapore, had placed an idol of Sri Krishna under a banyan tree on Waterloo Street to cater to the religious needs of the large hindu community within the Albert Street, Bras Basah Road and Victoria Street area. Beem Singh then passed the caretaking baton to his son who then passed on the responsibility to his niece to manage the temple. Eventually the niece passed on and responsibility was handed to the management who a Mr Pillai who built the halls and walls of the temple in memory of his mother.  

Sri Krishnan temple is situated close to Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple. A most heartwarming spectacle is when Chinese devotees light joss sticks at the Sri Krishnan Temple as well. As such, no visit to one is complete without visiting the other place of worship. Because of this, the temple management built an altar dedicated to Goddess of Mercy Guan Yin within the temple.  

The best way to visit Waterloo street from Malaysia is by taking 707 bus tours daily bus departures from 3 main points North of Singapore. The luxurious bus leaves Kuala Lumpur at 9am before heading down to Melaka at 11am and Johor Bahru by 2pm before reaching Waterloo Street at approximately 3pm.  

Visitors have an option for a day trip with the bus heading back to base in the evening or the more popular option of staying overnight for a day. Itinerary includes temple visit at Waterloo Street followed by Church visit to our Lady of Lourdes at Queen Street before shopping at the famous Bugis street and free time. Hotel options provided are Village Hotel and Hotel Boss within vicinity.