France is set to welcome its first major Hindu temple, with the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Bussy-Saint-Georges, near Paris, scheduled to be inaugurated in September 2026.
The historic opening will be marked by a 13-day “Festival of Culture” from September 2 to 14. Mahant Swami Maharaj will bless the inauguration, with devotees and well-wishers from across the world expected to attend the celebrations.
According to BAPS, the festival was launched globally during satsang assemblies held in March and April. The launch included video presentations and a message from Yogvivekdas Swami, head swami for BAPS in the UK and Europe, highlighting the significance of the new temple and providing an overview of the 13-day programme.
Members of the Indian diaspora in France have welcomed the temple, describing it as a source of pride and an important link between India and France. The temple has been constructed using intricately carved stones brought from India, reflecting the architectural and cultural traditions of the country.
Ahead of the inauguration, swamis and devotees gathered for the sacred Kalash and Dhaja Dand Pujans atop the temple’s shikhars and central dome. Vedic chants and prayers were offered for peace, harmony and the well-being of people in the surrounding communities and beyond.
The BAPS Paris temple is expected to become a centre for devotion, culture and community engagement, while promoting spiritual harmony and bringing together people from different backgrounds in France.
