Hinduism in Denmark
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[edit] Hinduism in Denmark
In Denmark there are about 7,500-8,000 Hindus of Tamil Origin.
Hindu, Krishna and Sikh Community in Denmark are Registered as reported in International Religious Freedom Report 2006, Denmark
[edit] Arrival of first Hindus of Srilankan 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 it 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-dance 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.
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.
[edit] Indians in Denmark
Out of a population of 5.3 million, the Indian community at 2150 comprises 0.04%. (This Percentage excludes Srilankan Tamil Hindus.)
Indian Nationals in Denmark are mainly Computer Professionals, Journalists, Doctors,Kiosk and restaurant owners. The Indians by and large, are law abiding and does not face any specific problems in Denmark.
There are around 12 Indian Associations that organise cultural programmes and celebrate nationaldays and Indian festivals. Places of worship of different Indian faiths have been built in Copenhagen.
There are several Yoga and Meditation societies run by Danes and Indians.
There are three local Radios (FM), viz 'Voice of India' which first received permission trough resident of Frederiksberg, was name changed into 'Pride of India', ‘Sabrang Radio’ and ‘Sunlight Radio’ run by people of Indian origin. A local TV channel called ‘India vision’ run by a Danish national of Indian origin, telecasts miscellaneous programmes for the community on Saturdays and Sundays [1]
[edit] Hindus of Danish origin
Many Danish people converted to Hinduism mainly due to the Missionary works of ISKCON, Transcendental Meditation, Brahma Kumaris, Sahaja Yoga and Sathya Sai Baba.
Hare Krishna Community in Denmark is Registered as reported in International Religious Freedom Report 2006, Denmark
ISKCON has around 40 regular devotees in Denmark, and some 150 people who are affiliated to the organization in one way or the other, although not on a full-time scale.
ISKCON has three centres in Denmark.
Centre-1 Aarhus, Denmark, Radio Krishna's Bogcafe, Thorvaldsensgade 32, 8000 Aarhus C
Centre-2 Copenhagen, Denmark, Hare Krishna Tempel, Skjulhoj Alle 44, 2720 Vanlose, Denmark
Centre-3, Restaurant- Copenhagen, Denmark, Govinda's, Noerre Farimagsgade 82, DK-1364 Kbh K
Transcendental Meditation, had presence in Denmark since 1962.
Transcendental Meditation, Brahma Kumaris, Sathya Sai Baba and Sahaja Marg have few hundred devotees.
[edit] References
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