France to get its first traditional Hindu temple built with Indian stones
Paris, June 18
Members of the Indian diaspora in France on Thursday announced that the country will soon have its first traditional Hindu temple, with its inauguration scheduled for September.
Speaking to IANS, members of the Indian community expressed pride over the development.
Bhavi Parekh, a member of the Indian diaspora, 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 member of the Indian diaspora associated with BAPS said the temple is being built using stones sourced from India. "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," he said.
After concluding a successful round of meetings at the G7 Summit in France's Evian, PM Modi arrived in Paris on Thursday morning, where he received a 'warm welcome' from the Indian diaspora living here. The Prime Minister said that he was "proud of the Indian community's efforts in bringing India and France closer to each other".
He also added that the "India-France partnership is vital for the progress of the planet Earth".
Taking to his official social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: "Reached Paris a short while ago to a warm welcome by the Indian diaspora. I am proud of their efforts in bringing India and France closer. The India-France partnership is vital for the progress of our planet."
Earlier on Wednesday evening, PM Modi said he had a productive round of meetings and interactions at the G7 Summit in Evian, where he presented India's views on governance, policy-making and the importance of working closely with the Global South to ensure global prosperity.
PM Modi noted that the discussions at the summit provided an opportunity to highlight India's efforts in key areas of governance and to emphasise the role of the Global South in shaping a more equitable international order.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I appreciate the sentiment, but I hope the temple's construction costs were managed transparently. These projects often raise eyebrows about funding from donations. Still, it's nice to see Indian heritage being shared globally.
Can't wait to visit when I'm in Paris next year! The blend of Indian stonework with French architecture will be stunning. Also great that PM Modi highlighted the India-France partnership — these cultural bridges are as important as political ones.
As someone who's lived in France for a decade, this is a big deal. Traditional Hindu temples are rare here, and the local French community has been genuinely curious and welcoming. It's a beautiful exchange of cultures. Kudos to the diaspora for making this happen.
This is lovely, but I hope it doesn't become just a tourist attraction or a photo-op. Temples are for spiritual connection, not just cultural exhibitions. Praying that the September inauguration focuses on devotion and community, not just politics or publicity. 🙏
Amazing how they carved the stones in India and assembled in France — that's true engineering skill! Our craftsmen are world-class. And PM Modi's visit adds a cherry on top. Jai Sri Ram! 🚩
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