Singapore’s Hell’s Museum unveils the mystery of death – with a touch of humor

Haw Par Villa, a vast cultural park in Singapore, is home to a mix of sculptures, lush walkways, and exhibits celebrating Buddhist teachings. Yet, one particular part of the park consistently captures the visitors' attention – hell.

Specifically, the 10 Courts of Hell.

For generations, schoolchildren as young as six or seven were taken here on field trips. It was clear that the 10 Courts of Hell stood out as the most unforgettable attraction, vividly depicting the Buddhist concept of the post-death journey, where souls are judged for their earthly deeds and either reincarnated as humans or animals.

The chilling sculptures depict the harrowing punishments awaiting souls in the afterlife: bodies impaled on pitchforks, severed heads weeping blood, and terrifying demons devouring organs.

The unforgettable and macabre exhibit left a lasting impact on generations of Singaporeans, forever reminding them of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of filial piety.

Eight decades later, the 10 Courts of Hell has earned its place as the centerpiece of the attraction, now featured prominently in the newly established Hell’s Museum.

However, the transition from a mere exhibit to a full-fledged museum was not a simple one.

Opening the gates to hell

“Whenever Haw Par Villa was mentioned, all anyone wanted to talk about was the 10 Courts,” recalls Jeya Ayadurai, the historian responsible for the museum’s recent transformation.

Ayadurai is the director of Singapore History Consultants (SHC), a private organization dedicated to preserving and modernizing the country’s historic sites for contemporary audiences. Previously, the group was responsible for transforming Battlebox, a World War II military bunker, into a popular tourist destination.

Next on SHC's agenda: Haw Par Villa.

Initially, Ayadurai and his team had planned to launch the ambitious Rise of Asia Museum (ROAM), an exhibit dedicated to Asian history and power, on the same grounds. While the project is still in the works, the global pandemic delayed its progress, prompting them to take a more immediate and practical route.

The public got what they wanted. In October 2021, Hell’s Museum officially opened as an independent attraction within the Haw Par Villa complex.

Haw Par Villa was founded in the 1930s by Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, two brothers from Burma who created the famous Tiger Balm, a camphor-scented analgesic that can be found in pharmacies throughout Asia.

According to local legend, while driving along Tanjong Pagar Road in Singapore one afternoon, Boon Haw had a flat tire. While waiting for it to be repaired, he fell in love with the location and decided to purchase the land.

There, he built an opulent Art Deco mansion, surrounded by lush Chinese-style gardens. These gardens were adorned with around 1,000 sculptures, many of which depicted scenes and figures from Chinese folklore.

Both brothers were stranded abroad during World War II, and the mansion was seized by the Japanese occupiers. Boon Par passed away without ever returning to the property, and after the war, Boon Haw had the house demolished.

Although the villa itself no longer stands, the name Haw Par Villa endures. Tiger Balm is no longer in the hands of the brothers’ descendants, and the gardens were handed over to the Singaporean government.

Why Singapore is an ideal home for hell

Despite its small size, Singapore boasts an incredibly diverse population. Subway announcements are made in Mandarin, English, Malay, and Tamil, reflecting the island's multicultural makeup.

Ayadurai grew up in Singapore in a family with Ceylonese Tamil roots and pursued graduate studies in the UK. Unlike many Singaporeans, he visited Haw Par Villa for the first time as an adult, and was struck by how many aspects of Buddhist teachings aligned with those in other religions he had studied.

“Today, we’ve confined everyone to their own separate belief systems, treating them as if they are entirely disconnected from each other, instead of recognizing how they might have influenced one another,” he remarks.

He recognized that the 10 Courts of Hell was the most visited attraction at Haw Par Villa. This gave him the idea to use it as a ‘Trojan Horse’ to spark discussions about death, the afterlife, and other profound topics.

“We aimed to remove the stigma surrounding death and encourage people to view the 10 Courts through a new lens,” he says.

Not everyone was thrilled about the prospect of visiting hell, however.

Jerome Lim, a history enthusiast who writes about Singapore on his blog The Long and Winding Road, agrees that Haw Par Villa was in need of an update. However, he finds it disappointing that hell has become the central theme of the new museum.

“It’s unfortunate that the focus has shifted to hell,” he says. “Haw Par Villa is meant to present a wider view of Chinese values, Chinese classics, and an introduction to Chinese culture.”

However, both Ayadurai and Eisen Teo, a curator at Hell’s Museum, emphasize that non-Chinese elements have always been present at the villa. The Haw brothers envisioned their gardens as a way for ordinary Singaporeans, who might not have the resources or opportunity to travel, to learn about other cultures. There's even a miniature Statue of Liberty alongside a sculpture of the Buddhist goddess Guanyin.

To hell and back

Ayadurai hopes that the revamped Hell’s Museum will emphasize the shared aspects of various belief systems, regardless of whether they are Chinese or not.

For the museum's grand opening, he enlisted the local Mexican community to create a traditional Dia De Los Muertos altar, which was displayed next to a Buddhist altar for the Hungry Ghost Festival, highlighting the striking similarities between the two.

One way to foster a sense of community is through humor. Hell’s Museum manages to balance irreverence and playfulness without crossing into disrespect. Even the museum’s FAQ page sets the tone with a sample: “Please note that pets are not permitted in the Hell’s Museum complex to ensure the safety of our exhibits. Also, all pets go to heaven!”

Ayadurai’s mission is to educate visitors about how different cultures view life and death – while ensuring the experience remains enjoyable and lighthearted.

So far, the approach seems to be working. Hell’s Museum is currently ranked as the 11th top attraction in Singapore on TripAdvisor.

“History always has contemporary relevance,” he says.

“Our goal is simple – to leave a lasting impression on everyone who steps through that door, encouraging them to see the world in a new, and hopefully brighter, light. Sharing knowledge fosters appreciation, which in turn nurtures understanding.”