Jainism in Singapore

Singapore is a multiethnic country that has become home to people from different parts of Asia. As they are from different ethnicities they also have distinct cultural identity of their own.  most  of the  ethnicities  practice different  religion  and  that makes  Singapore a  secular  country as well.  In this small country you can see diverse number religious groups.  The religions practiced in Singapore include Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism and many more.

Jainism refers to the religion practiced by the Jains. The Jains have settled in Singapore since the beginning of twentieth century. There is no historical data available on the exact date.  It is not clear whether the Jains were there at the beginning of the previous century. In the initial stage of settlement the Jains used to perform their religious rituals on individual  basis.  Later different religious buildings  and  institutions are built.  

Till the year 1953, there was free inflow of Jains to join their families in Singapore and there were no strict immigration rules.  Most of the Jain people are from India and they are highly influenced by the democratic ideas of India. The first committee was built in the year 1957 and the committee was named Panch.  Every year a new committee is established to organize and conduct Jain festivities as well as other religious functions. 

After the World War II the Jain community got organized and the religious activities are carried out at Waterloo Street.  After that the religious activities were performed at different rented venues.  Soon they felt the needed to have premises that they can call their own.  So they organized themselves and made a registered society named Singapore Jain Religious Society. Any Jain regardless of any  creed  can be  a  member  of the society.