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].

Contents 1 During the Middle Ages 2 In Modern Azerbaijan 3 Indian Association in Azerbaijan 4 Indian Community in Azerbaijan 5 Hare Krishna in Azerbaijan 6 Hare Krishnas interview to Forum 18 7 References 8 External Links

[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 worshipped 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] and they are mostly represented by members of ISKCON.^[6]

[edit] Indian Association in Azerbaijan

There are two associations under formation in Baku –

Indian Association Azerbaijan (IAA) formed on 5th October 2003, is a unique venue of interaction for Indians in Azerbaijan, imbibing a sense of unity in diversity [1]

Baku Malayalee Association (BMA)

Indian Festivals are celebrated with gaiety and the Indian community is further strengthening itself. The Embassy lends its whole- hearted support to the activities of these Associations and the Indian community [2]

Art of Living Centre is Located at BAKU Address- Ul. Sh. Mammadova, Dom 3-Block 4, kv. 64, 8-oi Mikroraion, BAKU , AZERBAIJAN POSTAL CODE: 370125 [3]

[edit] Indian Community in Azerbaijan

There are over 500-600 Indians in Azerbaijan.

A few among them are the former students now engaged in trading, running catering and restaurant business, dealing in pharmaceuticals or employed in the private sector. Many among them are doing good.

There are a number of Indians working at all levels in the oil and gas industry in Azerbaijan. Many UAE based suppliers of safety and other related drilling equipment to the major oil exploration/contractors have Indian nationals on their roll.

The pharmaceutical sector is also well represented by Indian nationals and some of them are heading their representative offices.

Azerbaijan provides significant opportunities for cooperation with India in all sectors, including the oil and gas sectors, which is likely to take off in the near future. During the former Soviet regime, the medical and engineering institutes were a favourite destination with Indian students. However, after the break up and formation of independent Azerbaijan there was a sudden outflow.

Recently, about 36 Indian students have enrolled at the Faculty of Medicine at the Khazar University, a private University [4]

It is an interesting fact that a number of Azeri girls have been named Indira after Indira Gandhi. Many Azeri girls have married Indian men residing in Azerbaijan [5]

[edit] Hare Krishna in Azerbaijan

Hare Krishnas are registered in Baku. [6]

Members of the Hare Krishna community – have a registered temple in Baku but nowhere else in Azerbaijan.

In October 2002, authorities returned 20,000 of the 35,000 books seized in 1996 from the Baku Society of Krishna Consciousness [7]

[edit] Hare Krishnas interview to Forum 18

Hare Krishnas were banned by the local administration in the town of Gusar [Qusar] in north-eastern Azerbaijan from distributing their books in summer 2005.

Babek Allahverdiev told Forum 18 at the Baku temple on 18 October that “Local administration said that Hare Krishnas can’t spread Krishna teachings as they aren't registered locally, though they have some devotees in the town,". He further said that "Azerbaijan is one country, but officials are dividing it up."

He said the local administration in nearby Khudat [Xudat], close to the border with Russia, had banned a group of local devotees from meeting in summer 2004, telling them to go to Baku if they wanted to meet legally [8]

Aja-Das, who leads Baku's Hare Krishna community, complained of the onerous system for inviting foreigners on a "normal working visit" to give lectures to the community. "We have to invite them through the State Committee and the Foreign Ministry," he told Forum 18 from Baku on 8 August. "There are a lot of checks and it takes a lot of effort. If only it could be easier".

"We can only get registration in Baku," Aja-Das of the Hare Krishna community told Forum 18. "We want to work in the whole country, not just in Baku." He cited continuing restrictions on Hare Krishna work outside the capital. "In some places we have been stopped from distributing literature. It wouldn't be bad if this was changed so that religious communities can work across the country [9]

[edit] References

[edit] External Links

• ISKCON in Azerbaijan
• AZERBAIJAN: Destruction for Krishna books as religion chief denies censorship
• AZERBAIJAN: Selective obstruction of foreign religious workers
• Krishna stopped from preaching outside Baku
• List of Registered Religions in Azerbaijan