More than one hundred years ago, Raffles Place has
explored to Singapore and
developed it as a trading port as seeing of its strategic geographical location
that connect between China
and India with Europe. Since then, Singapore has seen many Chinese
workers came onboard to escape from their country political chaos and making a
living. Many Chinese migrants that cannot make a living over their homeland
came to Singapore
batch by batch. They take the boat and across the South China Sea to Singapore. At
that period of time, the shipbuilding technology is not advance. They have to
take the risk to voyage through the turbulent and unpredictable sea and weather
over month to arrive Singapore.
Thian Hock Keng temple became their
first stop to welcome their arrival. After survived from the difficult voyage
from China Sea, they came to Thian Hock Keng
temple to burned joss-stick to give thanks to Ma Zu, the Goddess of the Sea.
Thian Hock Keng temple started in 1821
as a wooden joss house. Between 1839 to 1842, massive construction was in
progress to transform this prayer wooden joss house to Thian Hock Keng, which
means Temple of Heavenly Bliss. This was lead and
funding from wealth merchant Tang Tock Seng. All the materials were imported
from China,
including the ironwood which served as the building main supporting pillars. It
was design and built based on China
temple architecture. Many skilled craftsmen were invited from China to here
to build this temple.
The emergence of Thian Hock Keng means
there are a lot of opportunities here waiting for new migrants. It also become
community spirit of those who success economically and taking care of welfare
of new fellow migrants.Thian Hock keng temple became meeting place for Chinese
Community leaders to discuss social welfare issues and led to formation of
Hokkien Clan Association.
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