Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his delight on X over the inauguration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris, tagging the BAPS organisation in his post.
What is happening in Paris
The French capital, Paris, is playing host to the inauguration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir, a development being described as a milestone in India-France cultural ties. Temples built by BAPS are typically known for their traditional stone carving, intricate craftsmanship and grand domes, and this one is expected to serve as a cultural landmark for both the local population and the Indian diaspora living in and around Paris.
Why this matters for India-France ties
The inauguration is being viewed as a milestone in the cultural relationship between India and France. A grand Hindu mandir coming up in one of Europe's most visited capitals gives the sizeable Indian community in France, as well as visitors from across the continent, a permanent space to connect with Hindu religious practice and philosophy. It also adds Paris to the small list of major European cities that host a full-scale, traditionally built Hindu temple, placing the French capital alongside other global cities where BAPS has established a presence over the years.
What Modi said
In his post, Narendra Modi wrote, "It is a matter of great joy that BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir is being inaugurated in Paris." Along with the message, he shared a link and tagged the official BAPS handle.
BAPS' expanding global footprint
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has spent decades building elaborately carved stone temples around the world, and each one typically becomes far more than a place of worship. Existing BAPS mandirs in cities such as Phoenix and Robbinsville in the United States, Ottawa, Toronto and Scarborough in Canada, Sydney, Cairns and Canberra in Australia, and Nairobi in Kenya regularly host major festivals, including Janmashtami celebrations, Annakut gatherings and Rath Yatra processions that draw large crowds from the local Indian diaspora. Some of these mandirs have also marked milestone anniversaries and foundation stone ceremonies in recent years as the organisation continues to expand its network. The new mandir in Paris becomes the latest addition to this global chain, extending the presence of Sanatan tradition further into Europe.
Public reaction
Modi's post drew a mixed response online. Many users congratulated him, calling it a historic step in taking India's cultural heritage to a global stage, while some used the moment to question the government's silence on domestic issues such as inflation and other recent events. A few others described it as a positive sign of deepening cultural ties between India and Europe.
