Temples, mosques and what to wear

Question 1

What do I wear to visit Sultan Mosque?

Accepted Answer

Sultan Mosque asks men for a sleeved top and long trousers, and women for a long-sleeved top with no cleavage and bottoms down to the ankle. Nothing should be see-through, and visitors remove their shoes. Robes are available at the counter, first come, first served, so we'd wear the outfit and treat a robe as the backup. Sultan Mosque has the walk-in hours.

Question 2

When can I visit Sultan Mosque, and is it closed on Fridays?

Accepted Answer

Sultan Mosque takes walk-in visitors from Saturday to Thursday, 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm, and it's closed to visitors on Fridays. It limits how many people go in at a time, and visitors use Gate 5, facing Bussorah Street. Arranged group visits need at least two months' notice. We'd take the morning session and follow it with a walk round Kampong Gelam.

Question 3

Can non-Muslims visit Masjid Jamae (Chulia) in Chinatown?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Masjid Jamae (Chulia) in Chinatown welcomes Muslim and non-Muslim visitors, with guided tours and an information gallery. Visitors wear modest clothing, which means no shorts, short skirts or sleeveless tops, and robes are provided free of charge at the entrance. Group tours are arranged by appointment. We'd pair it with Sri Mariamman Temple on the same Chinatown morning.

Question 4

Do I take my shoes off at temples and mosques in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Yes, shoes come off at Sultan Mosque and Hindu temples such as Sri Mariamman, and most Hindu temples set aside a space for them. Chinese temples usually vary from hall to hall, so follow the signs, the shoe racks and the people ahead of you. We'd wear shoes that slip on and off easily. Sri Mariamman Temple has the Hindu temple rules.

Question 5

What do I wear to visit Sri Mariamman Temple?

Accepted Answer

Sri Mariamman Temple asks for covered shoulders and trousers or skirts that reach at least the knee, and nothing too tight, too short or too revealing. Cover-ups are provided at the entrance, and shoes come off outside. The temple closes from noon to 6pm, so we'd go in the morning, then walk on with Chinatown after Pagoda Street.

Question 6

Will shorts stop me entering a Hindu temple?

Accepted Answer

Shorts fall outside the dress code at Hindu temples such as Sri Veeramakaliamman in Little India, but cover-ups are provided at the entrance. Temples also lend shawls and wraps to visitors who arrive without one. We'd still wear light trousers or a long skirt and carry a scarf for your shoulders, which beats a wrap over shorts in the heat. Sri Veeramakaliamman is on Serangoon Road.

Question 7

What is the dress code at Buddha Tooth Relic Temple?

Accepted Answer

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple may refuse entry to visitors in shorts, short skirts, or low-cut, off-the-shoulder, open-back, spaghetti-strap or tube tops. It's open daily from 7am to 5pm, and pets and non-vegetarian food stay outside. Trousers and a top with sleeves also suit Sri Mariamman Temple along South Bridge Road, so one outfit covers both. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple has the rest of the visit.

Question 8

Can I take photographs inside temples, mosques and churches?

Accepted Answer

Photography is usually fine at Singapore's places of worship, but each sets its own rules on flash, video and groups. Sultan Mosque allows photos without flash and asks for approval for video, and visitors enter its main prayer halls only with a mosque official. St Andrew's Cathedral requires a permit for any filming and for group photography in its grounds. Photos are welcome at Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple too, as long as you're considerate of worshippers.

Question 9

Can visitors watch the Thaipusam procession in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Yes, tourists and non-Hindu Singaporeans watch the Thaipusam procession from the side. It's held on the full-moon day of the Tamil month of Thai, in January or February. Devotees walk about four kilometres from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on Serangoon Road to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road, with tens of thousands taking part and barricades along the roads. We'd claim a roadside spot early and keep the route clear.

Question 10

Is there a dress code for visiting churches in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

St Andrew's Cathedral sets no dress code for visitors, though anyone it permits to film or photograph in its grounds is asked to dress modestly. The Welcome Centre is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and free one-hour guided tours for up to six people run on Tuesday and Thursday at 11am in English. We'd cover shoulders and knees as you would for a temple. St Andrew's Cathedral has the rest.