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Singapore’s hell theme park takes the afterlife deadly seriously

Theo

Singapore:

Bloody grottos with demons impaling sinners and people drowning in a pool of blood are not a typical theme park experience.

But at Hell’s Museum in Singapore, the main attraction of Haw Par Villa Park, visitors are welcomed into a kitschy, air-conditioned hell on earth.

Set in sprawling grounds with over 1,000 statues and dioramas showcasing Asian culture, beliefs and philosophy, Hell’s Museum exhibits various religious views on the afterlife.

Through vivid depictions of the punishment for earthly sins, visitors are encouraged to learn about the ten courts of hell.

In the second court, for example, corruption is punished by freezing in ice, while rapists in the seventh court are thrown into boiling oil.

The ten hell courtyards are “the result of the mixing of four different religions and philosophies: Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Confucianism,” said Eisen Teo, chief curator of the Hell Museum in the multicultural city-state.

“The sculptures and dioramas are a visual analysis of many classics, stories and moral values ​​that many Singaporeans know and are familiar with,” said Teo.

Visitor Gin Goldberg told AFP she was not particularly surprised to learn that many religions have different views on life after death.

“For one person, heaven is for another, hell is for another,” said the American.

Party in Hell

The unusual park stands out from Singapore’s glittering main tourist attractions, such as the luxury shops of Marina Bay Sands or the towering “super trees” of Gardens by the Bay.

The Haw Par Villa was built in 1937 by entrepreneur Aw Boon Haw, who is known as co-developer of the pain-relieving ointment “Tiger Balm”, which is popular in Asia.

While the park is fondly remembered by older generations, it has struggled to attract Generation Z and younger millennials, according to Journeys, the company that manages the park.

To increase the attractiveness, several rave parties and other private events were held – but not too close to religious exhibitions.

“After coming here (for the parties), they fell in love with this quirky, eccentric park with its cool sculptures. They fell in love with it and keep coming back,” said Savita Kashyap, the executive director of Journeys.

Although Haw Par Villa isn’t all about the afterlife and raves – it also features scenes from Chinese folklore, such as The Tale of the Three Kingdoms – its hellish allure remains its biggest draw.

But not for everyone.

A Filipino visitor told AFP upon her departure that she would not be returning anytime soon.

“It’s very scary,” she said.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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