Hinduism in Norway

There are about 20,000 Hindus (0.35% of the population) in Norway as of 2020.[1] Most of these Hindus are of South Asian descent with the majority (around 75%) of those being ethnically Tamil Hindus from Sri Lanka.

Norwegians Hindus
Total population
20,000 (2020)
constituting 0.35% of the population.
Religions
Hinduism
Scriptures
Bhagavad Gita, Vedas
Languages
Sanskrit (sacred)
Main
Tamil, Hindi, English, Norwegian
Hinduism by country
Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
Caribbean
Oceania
South America
Full list
Bergen Hindu Sabha Temple

History

Hinduism was first introduced to Norway in 1914 by Swami Sri Ananda Acharya (1881-1945).

A small number of Gujarati Hindus came to Norway after the Dictator Idi Amin expelled the Indians from Uganda 1972. During the Sri Lankan Civil War of 1983, many Tamil Hindus migrated from Sri Lanka to Norway.[2]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1998864—    
20001,303+50.8%
20053,769+189.3%
20105,175+37.3%
20158,181+58.1%
201911,405+39.4%
202030,000+163.0%
Source: [3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Year Percent Increase
1998 0.020% -
2000 0.029% +0.009
2002 0.060% +0.031
2004 0.066% +0.006
2006 0.079% +0.013
2008 0.096% +0.017
2010 0.10% +0.004
2012 0.12% +0.02
2014 0.14% +0.02
2016 0.17% +0.03
2018 0.20% +0.03
2019 0.21% +0.01
2020 0.55% +0.34

Ethnic Background of Hindus in Norway

Diaspora Hindus in Norway include Tamil (Sri Lankan and Indian) families, Punjabi families, families from the Uttar Pradesh region, as well as Gujaratis and Bengalis.

Specifically among Norwegian Hindus, Sri Lankan Tamils are the dominant ethnicity constituting a large number (roughly half of the entire Hindu population or greater) of around 5000-7000 people.

Hindu Associations in Norway
Norwegian Hindu cultural centre's youth group in Oslo

There are numerous Hindu associations in Norway.

  • Sanatan Mandir Sabha is a Hindu religious association in eastern Norway with around 900 members. The Sanatan Mandir Sabha SMS was registered on April 14, 1988.[10]
  • Gujaratis had formed a Gujarati cultural association in the Oslo area.[11]
  • Tamil Cultural center for children who were born in or who have immigrated to Norway exists in Norway. This center has the following activities:
    • Teaching Tamil
    • Teaching religion (Hinduism)
    • Promoting drama, dance, music and sports.[12]
  • Vishwa Hindu Parishad is registered in Norway.

ISKCON has a Centre in Norway Address- Oslo, Norway, Jonsrudvej 1G, 0274, Oslode presence.

Hindu Temples in Norway
Sri Tiller Ganesha Temple in Trondheim

There are currently 5 Hindu Temples in Norway[13]

  • Sanatan Mandir Sabha Temple is located at Slemmestad, outside of Oslo. It was the first registered Hindu religious community or temple in Norway[14]
  • Hindu Sanatan Mandir Temple is located in Drammen[15]
  • The Sivasubramanayar Alayam (also known as the Norwegian Hindu Centre) in Ammerud (in Oslo)
  • The Bergen Hindu Sabha in Danmarksplass (in Bergen)
  • Sri Tiller Ganesha Temple in Trondheim

Hindu Festivals in Norway

Most major Hindu festivals such as Diwali are celebrated annually in Norway.

Hindus in Norway, mainly Tamil Hindus from Sri Lanka, celebrate the 12-day annual temple festival, the Mahotsav of which processions is the main feature. It is the main annual ritual gathering of the Tamil Hindus in Norway.

Indian classical vocalist Sniti Mishra performed at a live concert in Oslo during the Holi festival in 2015. The festival is organized annually by the Norway branch of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.[16]

See also

References
  1. "Religion in Norway". globalreligiousfutures.org.
  2. "Hinduism In Norway". Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  3. "Table 1 Members of religious and philosophical communities outside the Church of Norway. 1971-2000. Numbers and per cent".
  4. "Table 1 Members of religious and philosophical communities outside the Church of Norway. 1980-2003. Numbers and per cent".
  5. "Table 1 Members of religious and life stance communities outside the Church of Norway, by religion/Life stance. Per 1 January. 2005-2012. Numbers and per cent".
  6. "Religious communities and life stance communities".
  7. "Religious communities and life stance communities".
  8. "Statistics Norway – Church of Norway and other religious and philosophical communities". Archived from the original on 2012-11-20. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  9. "Religion in Norway". globalreligiousfutures.org.
  10. "Norway's Hindu temple offers matchmaking". 26 August 2014.
  11. http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/hf/ikos/REL4130/h04/undervisningsmateriale/Conversation_%20with_Members_of_SMS%20Board.doc
  12. "Dispersed by War". April 1997.
  13. "Hinduism in Norway / Columns / The Foreigner — Norwegian News in English". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2015-04-11.
  14. "Norway's Hindu temple offers matchmaking". 26 August 2014.
  15. http://www.drammenmandir.com www.drammenmandir.com?
  16. "Site is undergoing maintenance".
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