The official opening of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris took place on Sunday, September 6th. The ceremony was inaugurated by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. This significant event is the result of years of work by volunteers, devotees, and supporters from France and around the world.
The temple is envisioned not only as a place of worship but also as a center for the development of Hindu culture, education, community events, and fellowship. The doors of the temple will be open to people of all walks of life.
Historical Inauguration Ceremony
The inauguration began with a traditional consecration ceremony, which included ancient Vedic prayers and rituals. Mahant Swami Maharaj consecrated the sacred images inside the temple, followed by a solemn Aarti—a Hindu ceremony involving the offering of light. This opening marks the realization of a vision dating back more than 50 years.
The vision was first articulated in 1970 by His Holiness Yogiji Maharaj, who blessed the land of Paris and expressed the desire to build a temple in the French capital. This idea was then continued by his spiritual successor, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and was finally realized under the guidance of Mahant Swami Maharaj.
During the opening, Mahant Swami Maharaj reflected on the decades-long journey and read a personal letter addressed to Yogiji Maharaj. He presented himself and Pramukh Swami Maharaj as instruments in fulfilling his guru's vision, dedicating all efforts invested in the project to Yogiji Maharaj.
India-France Collaboration
The temple also reflects the collaboration between India and France. The intricate stone carvings were made in India and then transported to France, while French expertise and volunteer efforts contributed to the completion of the project.
After the consecration, Mahant Swami Maharaj offered prayers for the prosperity of the French people and peace throughout the world. In his blessings, he thanked everyone who contributed to the creation of the temple and recalled Pramukh Swami Maharaj's determination to see this long-awaited project through. He also urged devotees to actively use the temple, continuing to serve others with faith and devotion.
Sanjay Kara, the project head of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir, described the opening as the culmination of many years of faith and service. Kara stated: 'Today marks the culmination of many years of faith, selflessness, and selfless work. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring this Mandir to life, and we hope it will serve future generations as a place of worship, learning, friendship, and harmony.'
The opening was the central event of the 13-day Culture Festival known as Paris Mandir Mahotsav. The festival includes religious, cultural, and social events in Issy-les-Moulineaux and Paris to celebrate the temple's opening. A special Consecration Assembly was also planned for Sunday evening, bringing together dignitaries, invited guests, volunteers, and supporters. This gathering aims to mark the occasion and emphasize the importance of the new temple to the Hindu community in France.
Five Decades of Service
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is an international, public Hindu organization affiliated with the United Nations. The organization states that it is engaged in the spiritual and social development of society and has over 80,000 volunteers and 5,025 centers worldwide, serving millions of people.
The organization's presence in France has steadily grown over the past five decades, based on the vision established in 1970, and reflects the cultural ties between France and India. BAPS volunteers have also participated in humanitarian work in France and across Europe.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, volunteers in Paris assisted the elderly and vulnerable, as well as frontline workers, by distributing food, necessities, and moral support. When the Russian invasion of Ukraine triggered a humanitarian crisis, BAPS volunteers from Paris joined teams from the UK, USA, and other European countries to help people fleeing the conflict.
In Rzeszów, Poland, volunteers daily prepared and distributed about 1,000 hot vegetarian meals to refugees of various faiths and nationalities. They also provided emergency and administrative support to local authorities, offering emotional support to refugees in the aid camp established by the Indian Embassy and along the Polish-Ukrainian border.
The opening of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir adds a permanent place of worship and community gathering in Issy-les-Moulineaux.
Chronology of BAPS Activities in France
On July 7, 1970, His Holiness Yogiji Maharaj (the fourth spiritual leader of BAPS) asked Pramukh Swami (who became the fifth spiritual leader) and Mahant Swami (the sixth and current spiritual leader of BAPS) to consecrate the land of France on his behalf at Orly Airport in Paris.
On May 4, 1988, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj showered flowers over the sky above Paris, blessing the city and praying for its success and well-being.
On August 2, 1995, a few days before the opening of the first traditional Hindu temple in Europe—the Neasden Temple in London—Pramukh Swami Maharaj revealed his vision for a traditional Hindu temple in Paris.
On October 16, 2017, the Mayor of Issy-les-Moulineaux, Yann Dubosc, met with His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj in Paris and presented him with the 'Medal of Honor,' inviting him to visit the suburb of Issy-les-Moulineaux.
On October 19, 2021, a land consecration ceremony took place at the site of the new temple in Paris in the presence of Ishwarcharanadas Swami, senior swami of BAPS.
On September 3-4, 2022, the foundation laying ceremony for the new temple took place in the presence of Anandswarupas Swami, senior swami of BAPS, Yann Dubosc, Mayor of Issy-les-Moulineaux, His Excellency Javed Ashraf, Indian Ambassador to France and Monaco, and His Excellency Vishal Sharma, Indian Ambassador to UNESCO.
On July 13, 2023, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, met with BAPS leaders and architects from Arte Charpentier in Paris to learn about the progress of the upcoming temple construction in Paris.
On June 4, 2024, construction of the new BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris began.
On October 29, 2025, His Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth marked the progress of the upcoming temple in Paris during their visit to the Neasden Temple in London.
On November 12, 2025, Mr. Yann Dubosc, Mayor of Issy-les-Moulineaux, delivered a speech about the upcoming BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris at the United Nations in Vienna.
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