BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Paris: France's first Hindu temple opens in September 2026
Synopsis
France is about to get its first traditional Hindu temple — and it was built in India, stone by stone, then assembled in Paris. The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Bussy-Saint-Georges opens in September 2026 with a 13-day Festival of Culture, drawing devotees from across the world under the blessing of Mahant Swami Maharaj.
Key Takeaways
The BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Bussy-Saint-Georges, Paris will be inaugurated in September 2026 — France's first traditional Hindu temple.
A 13-day 'Festival of Culture' will run from 2 to 14 September 2026 , presided over by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj .
The temple was crafted using stones sourced from India and assembled in France.
The festival was launched globally through BAPS satsang assemblies in March and April 2026 .
Sacred 'Kalash' and 'Dhaja Dand Pujans' have already been performed atop the temple's shikhars and central dome ahead of the inauguration.
France is set to welcome its first traditional Hindu temple as the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Bussy-Saint-Georges, a district on the eastern outskirts of Paris, prepares for its inauguration in September 2026. The milestone marks a historic moment for the Hindu diaspora in France and for the global BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha movement.
Festival of Culture: 13 Days of Celebration
The inauguration will be accompanied by a 13-day 'Festival of Culture' running from 2 to 14 September 2026. The celebrations will be presided over by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of BAPS, and are expected to draw devotees and well-wishers from across the world.
BAPS announced that the festival was launched globally during 'satsang' assemblies held around the world in March and April 2026. The launch featured video presentations including a personal address by Yogvivekdas Swami, head swami for BAPS in the UK and Europe, who highlighted the temple's historical significance and provided an overview of the upcoming programme.
Crafted in India, Assembled in France
A defining feature of the BAPS Paris Mandir is its construction: the temple was crafted using stones sourced from India and then assembled on French soil. Members of the Indian diaspora in France have drawn particular pride from this detail.
Bhavi Parekh, a member of the Indian diaspora in France, said: 'We are feeling very proud after welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Another major occasion for us is the opening of France's first traditional Hindu temple in September. We welcome everyone to visit. The speciality of this temple is that it has been crafted in India and assembled in France.'
Another BAPS-affiliated diaspora member echoed the sentiment, adding: 'The temple has been made in India and built in France. We invite people from France, India, and the Hindu community worldwide to visit. A 15-day programme will be organised here in September, and everyone is welcome to attend.'
Sacred Rituals Mark the Countdown
Ahead of the formal inauguration, swamis and devotees gathered for the sacred 'Kalash' and 'Dhaja Dand Pujans' atop the 'shikhars' and central dome of the temple. Vedic chants and prayers were offered for peace, harmony, and well-being in Bussy-Saint-Georges and the surrounding region.
BAPS marked the occasion with the devotional call 'Paris Mandir Mahotsavni Jay!', reflecting the shared enthusiasm of Mahant Swami Maharaj, senior swamis, and the global devotee community.
What This Means for Hindus in France
France is home to a significant Indian diaspora, and the absence of a traditional Hindu temple of this scale has long been felt by the community. This is the first temple of its kind in the country, and its opening is expected to serve as a spiritual and cultural anchor for Hindus not just in France but across Western Europe.
The festival is expected to offer visitors a deeply spiritual and culturally immersive experience, with the broader BAPS network already mobilising participation from multiple continents. All are welcome to attend, according to BAPS.
Point of View
The temple carries a deliberate civilisational symbolism that goes beyond religion. What is notable is the scale of global mobilisation: satsang launches across continents, a 13-day festival, and the personal involvement of Mahant Swami Maharaj signal that BAPS is positioning Paris as a flagship outpost in the West. For France, a country with a strict secularist tradition, hosting a temple of this magnitude is itself a quiet but significant cultural shift worth watching.
NationPress
22 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is France's first Hindu temple located?
The BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir is located in Bussy-Saint-Georges, a district on the eastern outskirts of Paris, France. It is the first traditional Hindu temple of its scale in the country.
When will the BAPS Paris Mandir be inaugurated?
The temple is scheduled to be inaugurated in September 2026, accompanied by a 13-day Festival of Culture from 2 to 14 September 2026. The celebrations will be blessed by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.
What is special about the construction of the BAPS Paris Mandir?
The temple was crafted using stones sourced from India and then assembled in France, a feature that members of the Indian diaspora have highlighted with particular pride. This construction method is consistent with traditional BAPS mandir architecture seen globally.
Who is leading the BAPS Paris temple inauguration?
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, will preside over the inauguration and the 13-day Festival of Culture. Yogvivekdas Swami, head swami for BAPS in the UK and Europe, has also played a key role in the global launch of the festival.
Can the public attend the BAPS Paris Mandir festival in September 2026?
Yes, BAPS has extended an open invitation to people from France, India, and the global Hindu community to attend the September 2026 festival. All are welcome, according to BAPS representatives.
