 C M Turnbull, in her book A History of Singapore 1819-1975 records that they built the Subramaniam Temple (a popular name given to the temple by non Chettiars) in Tank Road in 1859.However prior to that year, they had installed a Vel (spear), a weapon representation of Lord Muruga, under a tree where they offered their prayers.The Vel was installed below a pipal (arasa maram) tree at the bank of a tank (pond).