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.[4][5]
As of 2010, Hinduism is followed by 1.6% of the population of French Guiana.[7] It is practiced mostly by the descendants of the Indo-Guyanese, who in 2014 numbered around 360,000.[8]
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%[9] to 10.7%.[10] Most of the large towns have a functioning Hindu temple.[11] 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."
^ ab"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.
