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,’ running from September 2 to 14. The event will showcase Hindu traditions, spirituality, art, music and Indian cultural heritage.
The inauguration of the temple is expected to mark a significant moment for the Hindu community in France. Located in Bussy-Saint-Georges, the temple will serve as a place of worship as well as a centre for cultural and community activities.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Bussy-Saint-Georges is set to become France’s first traditionally designed, purpose-built Hindu temple, bringing centuries-old Indian craftsmanship to the heart of France and turning a spiritual vision first articulated more than five decades ago into stone.
The opening celebrations are expected to bring together members of the Indian diaspora, Hindu communities and visitors interested in learning more about Indian traditions and culture.
The ‘Festival of Culture’ will run for 13 days from September 2 to 14, offering visitors an opportunity to experience different aspects of Indian and Hindu culture. The celebrations are expected to include cultural programmes, traditional performances and activities highlighting India’s rich heritage.
The September 2–14 Festival of Culture will feature cultural programming and a traditional Vedic Mahayagna, culminating in a large cultural procession on September 13. According to the Bussy-Saint-Georges municipality, participants from 38 nationalities and around 3,000 volunteers are expected to contribute to the festival, with several thousand visitors anticipated.
The event is being blessed by BAPS spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj and is expected to draw visitors from France and abroad.
The temple is located at the Esplanade des Religions et des Cultures, Allée Madame de Montespan, 77600 Bussy-Saint-Georges, in the eastern Paris region. The opening of the temple will provide a major center for the Indian and Hindu community living in France to connect with worship and culture.
In a unique celebration, eleven boats will glide through Paris as part of an astonishing cultural flotilla bringing together thousands of participants, for the inauguration of France’s first traditional Hindu temple. The Seine is set to don the colors of India from the start of September 2026.
For France’s Hindu community, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir is more than a place of worship; it is a cultural landmark that affirms Sanatana Dharma’s presence in Europe and offers a space where devotion, heritage and community can flourish for generations to come.
