Hinduism in Denmark
Encyclopedia
In Denmark there are about 7,500-8,000 Hindus of Tamil
Origin.
Hindu and Sikh Community in Denmark are Registered as reported in International Religious Freedom Report 2006, Denmark. Also reported is the Krishna devotees. However since Krishna is part of Hinduism, it need not be mentioned separately.
Hindus of Sri Lankan Tamil origin have realized that there will not be any solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka in the near future, and they have begun to rebuild or reorganize some of their cultural and religious representations in Denmark, so they can cope with the requirements of the traditions and Danish society as well. For example this creates an institutionalized Hinduism, where the temple has become the religious bearer per se (internal representation), and that the bharata-natyam that has its roots in the Hindu-Bhakti, has become very popular among all the Tamils (external representation), because it communicates very well with Danish society. Of course, whether Danes know what the term "bhakthi" means is altogether a different story.
In Denmark there are two consecrated Hindu temples: one dedicated to Vinayakar or the Ganesha
and the other to the Goddess Abirami apart from the ISKCON temples.
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
Origin.
Hindu and Sikh Community in Denmark are Registered as reported in International Religious Freedom Report 2006, Denmark. Also reported is the Krishna devotees. However since Krishna is part of Hinduism, it need not be mentioned separately.
Arrival of first Hindus of Sri Lankan Tamil origin
The first Hindus of Sri Lankan Tamil origin came in 1983 because of the escalating conflict in Sri Lanka. It was mostly men, and they were categorized as de facto refugees. Today they have married or have got the family, they had to leave to Denmark, and around half of the Tamils have been granted Danish citizenship.Hindus of Sri Lankan Tamil origin have realized that there will not be any solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka in the near future, and they have begun to rebuild or reorganize some of their cultural and religious representations in Denmark, so they can cope with the requirements of the traditions and Danish society as well. For example this creates an institutionalized Hinduism, where the temple has become the religious bearer per se (internal representation), and that the bharata-natyam that has its roots in the Hindu-Bhakti, has become very popular among all the Tamils (external representation), because it communicates very well with Danish society. Of course, whether Danes know what the term "bhakthi" means is altogether a different story.
In Denmark there are two consecrated Hindu temples: one dedicated to Vinayakar or the Ganesha
Ganesha
Ganesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
and the other to the Goddess Abirami apart from the ISKCON temples.