'Without her, I am nobody': Chariot puller honours late wife

For more than 40 years, Mr Rajendran Krishnasamy has been a dedicated figure in Singapore's Hindu temple festivals, towing silver chariots carrying deities. His commitment to this duty remained unshaken, even in the face of personal tragedy.

On Nov 4, 2023, a day before Theemithi, the annual firewalking ceremony, his wife Madam Malliga was hospitalised for breathlessness but still urged him to prioritise his temple duty. "Please tow the chariot, then come back to visit me," she told him. Those were her last words to him.

As Mr Rajendran towed Sri Mariamman Temple's silver chariot, he received a devastating call from his daughter: "Amma's heart stopped. She's on life support." He completed his task and rushed to the hospital at 1am, when Madam Malliga briefly responded to his presence before passing away later that morning at age 59.

On Feb 22, 2025, Mr Rajendran was honoured for 20 years of service at Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnanamuneeswarar Temple's annual chariot procession. Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean presented the award, after which Mr Rajendran towed the chariot once again.

Later that evening, he received another plaque from the Thaipusam Joint Committee, a collaboration between the Chettiars' Temple Society, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple and the Hindu Endowments Board. Dedicating the awards to his late wife, he said with tears streaming down his face: "Without her, I am nobody. My only wish is that these awards go to her."

Mr Rajendran and Madam Malliga married in 1982 and built Raja Towing Services, later expanding it into Rajaa Temple Service in 2000.

Initially handling administration, Madam Malliga, with Mr Rajendran's encouragement, earned her Class 3 and Class 4 licences and a Taxi Driver's Vocational Licence. From 2000 to 2022, she towed temple chariots herself, breaking gender norms in a male-dominated industry.

Her support for Mr Rajendran went beyond their business - she ensured he never missed a procession, woke him on time, prepared his meals, and even drove a backup tow truck. "Even the attire I wore to award functions was stitched by her," he said.

Though Madam Malliga is gone, their children have stepped up. His son Ganissh, 35, now drives the tow truck, while his daughters manage operations. "My children have been a big support to me since young, whether it was washing vehicles or preparing them for towing chariots," Mr Rajendran said.

His fleet of tow trucks remains active, but one is reserved for temple chariot processions. "For 41 years, this tow truck has served temples. I have dedicated it to temple duties," he said.

SM Teo, who has known Mr Rajendran for many years, described him as "a man with a very big heart". At Madam Malliga's funeral, SM Teo asked Mr Rajendran whether he would continue towing the chariot, to which Mr Rajendran had replied without hesitation: "I will continue towing till my last breath."

Guided by the words of former President SR Nathan, who once advised him to "do things never expecting anything in return", Mr Rajendran's selfless dedication to temple service remains unwavering.