Hinduism in France

Last updated

French Hindus
New Mayapur - 30.jpg
Total population
121,312 (2020)
0.2% of the total Population
Religions
Hinduism
Vaishnavism (majority)
Shaivism and others (minority)
Scriptures
Agamas, Bhagavad Gita and Vedas
Languages
Sacred
Sanskrit, Old Tamil

National
French
Regional
French Guianese Creole, French Antillean Creole,Réunion Creole

Contents

Others
Hindi, English, Mauritian Creole, Tamil, Punjabi, etc. (among diaspora)
Hindu burial in the columbarium of Pere-Lachaise Cemetery Pere-Lachaise - Division 87 - Columbarium - Octobre 2015 - 31.jpg
Hindu burial in the columbarium of Pere-Lachaise Cemetery

Hinduism is a minority religion in France that is followed by more than 121,312 people in France, which is nearly 0.2% of the nation's population. Most of the Hindus in France are mainly from the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora and the Indian diaspora, though there are many Hindus from Nepal, Afghanistan, Mauritius and other nations.

Hinduism is the fifth largest in Europe, after those of the United Kingdom, Italy, The Netherlands and Germany. [1]

Emergence of Hindus in France

The initial presence of Hindus in France dates to the early 1700s and primarily consisted of sailors and servants, who eventually converted to Christianity. The Hindu population remained small until the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, which reduced the travel time between India and Europe. Thereafter, as Indian dancers, musicians, and yogis began to migrate to France, the Hindu population slowly grew. From 1900 to 1920, a temporary Hindu temple was constructed. Businessmen, students, and intellectuals began to migrate and settle in Paris. France also became a destination for refugees fighting for Indian Independence. [2]

Hindu immigration to France was catalyzed by Indian Independence in 1947. In 1971, Hindu Bengalis began migrating to France. By 1975, nearly 60,000 Indians, 40% of which were Hindu, had migrated from Pondicherry to France. Mauritians also began migrating to France for work and education after gaining independence. There are now approximately 60,000 Mauritians in France, primarily made up of Hindus and Muslims, and most of them settling in Paris. [2]

The majority of Hindus in France are now Sri Lankan Tamils, whose population surged during the civil war in Sri Lanka as refugees sought asylum in the West. Most refugees aimed for refuge in Great Britain, but as Great Britain tightened their immigration policy, they eventually settled in France. For the same reason, Gujaratis, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis, many of whom practiced Hinduism, settled in France. [2]

Influence of Hinduism in France

In 2022, Durga Puja was celebrated in 12 pavilions across France with various events including worship, offering of Anjali, distribution of prasad, and cultural programs. [3] Diwali is celebrated in Reunion island, also Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in Paris.

Notable personalities

French people who were influenced by Hinduism include : Alexandra David-Néel, René Guénon, Mirra Richard, Romain Rolland, Satprem, François Gautier, Voltaire.

Hinduism in French overseas territories

Hinduism in Martinique

Hinduism is followed in the Martinique by the Indo-Martiniquais. Though Indo-Martiniquais comprises approximately 10% of the population of the island of Martinique, only a few are Hindus. Only 15% of Indo-Martiniquais are Hindus. [4]

Hinduism in French Guiana

As of 2010, Hinduism is followed by 1.6% of the population of French Guiana. [5] It is practiced mostly by the descendants of the Indo-Guyanese, who in 2014 numbered around 360,000. [6]

Hinduism in Réunion

The French government gathers no statistics on religious affiliation. Because of this, it is impossible to know accurately how many Hindus there are in Réunion. Estimates of practicing Hindus vary from 6.7% [7] to 10.7%. [8] Most of the large towns have a functioning Hindu temple. [9] An interesting feature, likely peculiar to Réunion, is the simultaneous observance by some ethnic Indians of both Catholic and Hindu faiths, a practice that has earned them the sobriquet of being "socially Catholic and privately Hindu."

Hinduism in Guadeloupe

Hinduism is practised by Some Indo-Guadeloupeans in Guadeloupe. According to statistics, Hinduism is followed by 0.5% of the Guadelopeans. [10]

Notable French Hindus

Famous Hindu Temples

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hinduism in Sri Lanka</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora</span>

The Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora refers to the global diaspora of Sri Lankan Tamil origin. It can be said to be a subset of the larger Sri Lankan and Tamil diaspora.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hinduism in Réunion</span>

Hinduism in Réunion constitutes a significant part of the island's population. The island of Réunion is home to approximately 200,000 Indian descendants amongst the roughly 800,000 strong population. Estimates of practicing Hindus vary from 6.7% to 10.7%. Yet, uncertainty as to the exact number of Hindus in the country results from the fact that ethnic and religious questions are forbidden in French censuses and members of the Indian population sometimes cross-identify with Roman Catholic and Hindu faiths.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hinduism in Norway</span> Overview of the presence, role and impact of Hinduism in Norway

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hinduism in Denmark</span> Aspect of Hinduism in Denmark

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indians in France</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indo-Guadeloupeans</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamil Mauritians</span> Ethnic group

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamils in France</span>

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The Pondichérien diaspora is a demographic group of people from Puducherry state of India who have emigrated and settled in other parts of the world, significantly in France, Réunion and the French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. There are around 300,000 of them living around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hinduism in Guadeloupe</span> Overview of the presence, role and impact of Hinduism in Guadeloupe

Hinduism is a minority religion in Guadeloupe, followed by some Indo-Guadeloupeans. According to a statistics data, Hinduism is practised by 0.5% of the people in Guadeloupe.

Caribbean Shaktism, also known as Kalimai Dharma or Madras Religion in Guyana, refers to the syncretic Shakti Kali/Mariamman worship that has evolved within the Indo-Caribbean Tamil community in countries such as Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Jamaica and Suriname. It can be found across the Caribbean and any South American country with an Indo-Caribbean community. It is a syncretic blend of Dravidian folk religion and Hinduism and has also been influenced by other cultural and religious traditions found in the Caribbean such as Catholicism, Trinidad Orisha, Comfa and Obeah. It is considered to be a form of Folk Tamil Hinduism and many attend services of Vedic Origin, more Orthodox Tamil Origin, and Madrasi origin.

References

Citations

  1. "European Countries With The Highest Number Of Hindus: 2010 To 2050". WorldAtlas. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  2. 1 2 3 Trouillet, Pierre-Yves; Voix, Raphaël (2020-07-07). Hinduism in France. Brill. ISBN   978-90-04-43228-4.
  3. "ফ্রান্সজুড়ে ১২টি মণ্ডপে পূজা পাচ্ছেন দেবী দুর্গা". Ekattor TV. Retrieved 2022-10-17.
  4. "Martinique" (PDF). World Maps. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  5. "Religions in French Guiana | PEW-GRF". www.globalreligiousfutures.org. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  6. Heenan, Patrick; Lamontagne, Monique, eds. (2014). The South America Handbook. Routledge. p. 318. ISBN   9781135973216.
  7. "Indian diaspora" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-08-21. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  8. "Country Profile: Reunion (Department of Reunion)". Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 2015-02-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  9. Peoples of Africa: Réunion-Somalia. Marshall Cavendish. 2001. pp. 412–. ISBN   978-0-7614-7166-0.
  10. "RELIGIONS IN GUADELOUPE". www.religion-facts.com. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  11. 1 2 "Famous Hindu Temple in France". World Tour & Travel Guide, Get Travel Tips, Information, Discover Travel Destination | Adequate Travel. 2018-11-15. Retrieved 2022-10-17.

Further sources