Sri Arasakesari Sivan Temple

 

Stop 1: Sri Arasakesavi Sivan Temple

Hidden in the industrial area of Sungei Kadut stands a Hindhu Temple. The first stop of the Woodlands Heritage Trail, Sri Arasakesavi Sivan temple has been touted as a relic of the past - the only temple to have a 'woodlands' design. I wanted to know what this meant and how it ties in with sustainability.

Sungei Kadut used to be a mangrove forest which was developed into an industrial area.

The temple has an open-air design with trees surrounding it.

The design of the temple integrates nature with the Hindu religion. Nature and religion are balanced.

Even more beautiful was the highlight - The ceremonial pond. Devotees submerge themselves in the waters of the ceremonial pond to receive blessings.

As someone who has never been in a Hindhu Temple before, it makes me feel welcome and curious. Stepping into this location made me feel as if I have taken a step back into time where village life thrived. As a Singaporean, it was new and refreshing.

This visit also got me curious about a culture I do not come across often - the Ceylonese Tamils and their religion of Hinduism.  

Their worship is different from my Catholic faith. Nature is used in a very direct way in their worship. Flower offerings are one example. When seeking blessings, Hindhus offer flowers, which the Hindhu priest takes and scatters on the idol in the shrine as if to deliver the petition. Then after chanting, the priest picks up the flowers and delivers it to the devotee. the It was interesting. 

The integration of nature shows their relationship and respect for it. If it weren't for the natural-ness of the temple I would never have been interested to know. I never would have discovered more.

Concluding thoughts

Sustainability and culture work hand in hand to preserves and gives importance to the other.

It is easy to think that sustainability is just about increasing and preserving the environment and biodiversity. However, I have learnt through my visit to this temple that sustainability is about including nature into our culture and our thoughts. 

As I visit the other stops of the Heritage Trail, I am going to think about how culture gives relevance to sustainability, and how sustainability can be integrated with our culture. I am also going to share how sustainability is an often-overlooked subject, and why learning journey about sustainability.