Hinduism in Norway

In Norway as of 2018, there are 31,405 Hindus or 0.21% of the population of Norway. Most of these Hindus are of South Asian descent with the majority(around 75%) of those being ethnically Tamil Hindus from Sri Lanka.

Hinduism by country
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Asia
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Europe
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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 migranted from Sri Lanka to Norway.[1]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1998 864—    
2000 1,303+50.8%
2005 3,769+189.3%
2010 5,175+37.3%
2015 8,181+58.1%
2019 11,405+39.4%
Source: 1998 to 2000- [2]

2001 to 2003- [3] 2004 to 2012- [4] 2013 to 2014- [5]

2015 to 2018- [6]2019[7]


Year Hindus Percent of Norway population
1998 864 0.020%
2000 1,303 0.029%
2002 2,734 0.060%
2004 3,009 0.066%
2006 3,669 0.079%
2008 4,566 0.096%
2010 5,175 0.10%
2012 5,690 0.12%
2014 7,382 0.14%
2016 8,882 0.17%
2018 10,427 0.20%
2019 31,405 0.21%

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.[8]
  • Gujaratis had formed a Gujarati cultural association in the Oslo area.[9]
  • Tamil Cultural center for children who were born in or who have immigrated to Norway exists in Norway. This center has the following activities: 1) Teaching Tamil, 2) Teaching religion (Hinduism and Christianity), 3) Promoting drama, dance, music and sports.[10]
  • Vishwa Hindu Parishad is registered in Norway.

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

Hindus Temples in Norway
Sri Tiller Ganesha Temple in Trondheim

There are currently 5 Hindu Temples in Norway.[11]

  • Sanatan Mandir Sabha Temple is located at Slemmestad, outside of Oslo. It was the first registered Hindu religious community or temple in Norway.[12]
  • Hindu Sanatan Mandir Temple is located in Drammen.[13]
  • The Sivasubramanayr Alaym(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.[14]

See also


References
  1. "Hinduism In Norway". Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  2. http://www.ssb.no/a/english/kortnavn/trosamf_en/arkiv/tab-2000-10-04-01-en.html
  3. https://www.ssb.no/a/english/kortnavn/trosamf_en/arkiv/tab-2003-10-14-01-en.html
  4. https://www.ssb.no/a/english/kortnavn/trosamf_en/tab-2012-12-04-01-en.html
  5. https://www.ssb.no/en/kultur-og-fritid/statistikker/trosamf/aar/2014-11-18?fane=tabell&sort=nummer&tabell=204090
  6. https://www.ssb.no/en/kultur-og-fritid/statistikker/trosamf
  7. "Statistics Norway – Church of Norway and other religious and philosophical communities". Archived from the original on 2012-11-20. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  8. http://www.tnp.no/norway/panorama/4587-norway-hindu-temple-offers-matchmaking
  9. http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/hf/ikos/REL4130/h04/undervisningsmateriale/Conversation_%20with_Members_of_SMS%20Board.doc
  10. http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=3241
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2015-04-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. https://www.tnp.no/norway/panorama/4587-norway-hindu-temple-offers-matchmaking
  13. http://www.drammenmandir.com www.drammenmandir.com?
  14. http://vhpnorway.com/index.php/events/upcoming-events
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