France Set to Welcome Its First Major Hindu Temple Near Paris

France is set to open its first major Hindu temple, with the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Bussy-Saint-Georges, near Paris, scheduled for inauguration in September 2026.

The opening celebrations will be held through a 13-day ‘Festival of Culture’ from September 2 to 14, with Mahant Swami Maharaj blessing the inauguration. Devotees and well-wishers from several countries are expected to attend the event.

The Indian diaspora in France has welcomed the temple, saying it will deepen cultural and spiritual ties between India and France. The temple has been constructed using stones brought from India, reflecting the architectural and cultural traditions of the country.
Ahead of the inauguration, swamis and devotees performed sacred Kalash and Dhaja Dand Pujans at the temple’s shikhars and central dome. Vedic prayers and chants were offered for peace, harmony and the well-being of people.

The new temple is expected to serve not only as a place of worship but also as a centre for Indian culture, spirituality and community harmony in France.