Hinduism in Azerbaijan

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Hinduism in Azerbaijan has been tied to cultural diffusion on the Silk Road. The major center center for Hinduism in the region was Surakhani, the site of the Atashgah mandir, built in the 16th century as a place for homam by Indian traders^[1].

[edit] During the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, Hindu traders visited Azerbaijan for Silk Road trade. The area was traversed by Hindu traders coming mostly from Multan and Sindh. The Atashgah (in Surakhani) was created for those traders to worship while in the area. Most of the traders left after the advent of the British Raj. The ceremonies were officiated by a Punjabi pandit ^[2]. The locals of the Surakhani also worshiiped at the local mandir, and the population of Hindus swelled ^[3]

In the 1880's the Czar of Russia, Alexander III went to Azerbaijan to witness one of the last Hindu ceremonies performed there. After the 1890's nearly all of the original Hindus in Azerbaijan had passed away or left for India. ^[4]

[edit] In Modern Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijan Daily Digest states that a few Azeri people have converted to Hinduism ^[5]

[edit] References