Singapore National Monument: The Faith of the Nanyang Chinese - Hougang Dou Mu Gong

Singapore Hougang Dou Mu Gong The temple began construction in 1919 and was completed in 1921, making it Singapore's oldest temple dedicated to the Nine Emperor Gods. According to inscriptions, its incense was brought from Penang, Malaysia, and the faith in the Nine Emperor Gods is a unique folk belief among the Chinese community in Nanyang. In the mid-19th century, the tin mining industry in Southeast Asia developed rapidly. The British government recruited a large number of laborers from the coastal areas of southeastern China, and the introduction of the Nine Emperor Gods belief is believed to be closely related to these laborers. At that time, medical conditions were poor, and epidemics were common. Folklore suggested that eating vegetarian during the Nine Emperor Gods festival could avert disasters and calamities, so when the panic of disease struck, people would pray for the protection of the gods, and the belief in the Nine Emperor Gods spread in this way. The temple has a symmetrical layout with an air well in the center. Behind the main hall, there is a two-story pagoda. The single-story dormitory for the temple guardians is located at the back of the temple. The temple's roof is decorated with dancing dragons, and in the center of the ridge is a blazing pearl, with dragons and dragon fish used to terminate the ridge. The roof trusses are typical of the Minnan style, decorated with carvings and simple brackets. The main entrance is painted with images of door gods, and compared to other temples, its light blue and brown color scheme is quite soft. 🪭Address: 779A Upper Serangoon Rd, Tou Mu Kung Temple Hougang Dou Mu Gong - Temple of the Nine Emperor Gods, Singapore 534648 🎫Admission is free. Incense and other offerings are at one's own expense.