Nagore Durgha Shrine

Nagore Durgha Shrine (was also known as Masjid Moulana Mohammad Ally) was built between 1828 and 1830 by brothers Mohammed and Haja Mohideen as a memorial to a holy man, Shahul Hamid of Nagore in Southern India. The brothers were part of an Indian Muslim minority known as Chulias from South India. They migrated to Singapore in large numbers from the early 1820s. The shrine is one of the earliest places of worship in Singapore for the Indian Muslims. Presently, it is under the care of Majulis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) and had undergone major restoration works in 2007. However, it has been closed to the public since the 1990s and based on recent news, Nagore Durgha Shrine is due to reopen in May 2011 as a Heritage Centre instead. It will feature exhibits and artefacts of the Indian Muslim community and consists of a halal eatery as well.

It is a small structure standing at the corner of Telok Ayer Street and Boon Tat Street. It shares the same street as Thian Hock Keng Temple (Singapore’s oldest Hokkien Temple) and Al Abrar Mosque. This reflects the religious and cultural mix of early Singapore. The architecture of the shrine features both East and West influences. Since 19 November 1974, Nagore Durgha Shrine has been gazetted as a national monument.

Address: 140 Telok Ayer Street Singapore 068604
Getting there: Nearest MRT are Tanjong Pagar and Raffles Place