Shanmugam - it was him who initially started Murugan Hill Temple at Lam San Village. He was a plumber attached to the RAF. He spotted a small divine structure that resembled a shrine of Sri Muneeswaran and related the discovery at a local Staff Union's meeting. Mr. Nagalinggam, the present President of the temple, was also a member then.
In 1962, with the support of villagers and RAF employees, the first Puja was offered to mark the founding of the shrine. A year later, while clearing the surrounding area, a fire that was started spread to neighboring huts. A report was made by the landowner and all activities centered around the shrine ceased. No prayers were held and it fell into a state of neglect.
One Tuesday at dawn, Mr. Lingam had a dream. An elderly man dressed in white, knocked at his door and uttered "Go and light up the shrine and offer prayers as usual. It will be good for you". Thus came the rebirth of the temple. Mr. Lingam, with his friend, Mr. Pappaiya Naidu, and the villagers, began to offer prayers once again. In 1969, with the help of MP Mr. Tang See Chin, the temple was given a temporary permit. A remarkable transformation was about to take place.
Yet another fire broke out and burnt out the hut. Again, Mr. Lingam had a dream, in which a "reddish man" prompted him to rejuvenate the place with the installation of another deity. An engineer from the HDB was reluctant to allow any change to the present situation until further notice. However, some time later, he changed his mind. What had brought about this change of heart? In their hearts the devotees know, and they thanked the Lord.
What was a shrine dedicated to Sri Muneeswaran soon became an abode for Murugan. It was also the urging of the priest from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Johore (Malaysia) that this change was undertaken.
On 21st February 1973, the temple was given a temporary license for an area of 2000 sq. feet on lot 106. The temple was officially registered a month later as "Murugan Hill Temple" of 9V, Sungei Tengah Road, 12 1/2 miles off Chua Chu Kang. Among Hindus, it was called Murugan Thirukkundram. Panguni Uthiram saw thousands of devotees trudging up the hill to seek blessings. In 1974, Mr. Pappaiya Naidu, the committee president, was transferred to Changi RAF, and in due course, Mr. Lingam took over the helm.