Wat Ananda Metyarama, Thai Buddhist temple in Kampong Tiong Bahru, Singapore
Wat Ananda Metyarama is a Buddhist temple featuring golden stupas and ornate Thai architectural design on Jalan Bukit Merah. The complex includes meditation halls, conference rooms, dining areas, classrooms, and a cultural center that serve both spiritual and community purposes.
The temple was founded in 1920 by Venerable Luang Phor Hong Dhammaratano and later relocated from its original site on Silat Road to its current location. This move allowed the institution to expand and serve the growing Thai Buddhist community.
The hand-painted murals inside the main shrine depict everyday scenes from Singapore alongside Buddhist imagery, showing how the local community blends spiritual practice with local life. These artworks reflect the temple's role as a space where Thai Buddhist traditions meet Singaporean daily reality.
Visit during morning or early afternoon hours for a quieter experience when the halls are less crowded. Removing your shoes before entering the main shrine areas is expected, and approaching the altar with respectful behavior is important.
During major ceremonies, the temple adapts Thai traditions to local conditions by using inflatable pools for the Loy Krathong floating festival, which traditionally uses natural waterways. This creative adjustment shows how the community preserves its spiritual practices while working within the city's spatial limits.
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