This postcard shows a view of the River Valley district that was probably taken from the Oberoi Imperial Hotel at Jalan Rumbia off River Valley Road. The Central Business District (left background), Shenton Way (centre background) financial district, and Chinatown district (right background) skylines are also captured in the postcard. One prominent landmark shown is the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple (foreground) along Tank Road. The original structure of the Hindu temple was built in 1859 by the Nattukkottai Chettiars to honour the deity Lord Murugan, the second son of Lord Shiva. The temple structure underwent renovation works in 1936 and 1955, with a complete rebuilding exercise carried out in 1983. The temple is also known as the Subramaniam (another of Lord Murugan’s names) Temple or Chettiar’s Temple. During the Hindu festival of Thaipusam, the temple serves as the finishing point of a religious procession that starts from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Rood. Another notable landmark captured is the United Engineers Building (centre) along River Valley Road. The company was formed in 1912 and was a pioneer in the automobile and ice-making industries before expanding into the civil, mechanical and engineering business. The company’s office building was demolished in 1991.
