Hinduism in Finland

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Contents 1 Introduction 2 Finnish-Indian-Society 3 Hindus in Finland 4 Hindu Groups in Finland 5 External Links

[edit] Introduction

Hinduism is a very minor religious faith in Finland. The main established religion in Finland is Christianity, especially Lutheran Christianity.

[edit] Finnish-Indian-Society

The Finnish-Indian-Society was established in 1949.

The organisation's original name was Suomalaiset Intian Ystävät ry (Finnish friends of India ) and initially it was mainly a community of people interested in Indian philosophy and the philosophy of Gandhi. At the moment the society has about 300 members, out of which 50 are Indian [1]

There are 410 PIOs, 750 NRIs in Finland. Indians constitute 0.220% of the total population of Finland [2]

[edit] Hindus in Finland

An estimated 250 Tamils live in Finland[3]

Finland acquired a significant Hindu population for the first time around the turn of the 21st century due to the recruitment of information technology workers from India by companies such as Nokia.

[edit] Hindu Groups in Finland

Ananda Marga is active in Finland

Chinmoy Mission has Centres in Finland

Brahma Kumaris have Centre at Kylätie 20 (piha), 00320 Helsinki, Poland

Sathya Sai Organisation has Centres in Finland

There is only one known ISKCON temple near Helsinki city centre but it lacks infrastructure and funds most of the time.

The Finnish Government has not sanctioned any land for ISKCON or any other kind of Hindu temple.

Some people formed a trust for a Hindu temple project in Finland but without the support of government and other business institutions nothing concrete could be achieved. Hindu festivals like Holi and Diwali have been celebrated in Finland and are gaining more popularity.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] External Links

• Finland Hindus To Build a Temple
• Sivalingam, 63, of Helsinki, was the first Srilankan Hindu to arrive in Finland
• Finland: Few individuals go North by Urmila Goel
• ISKCON Finland Finnish Language Website
• Blissful Scenes from Sri Krsna Janmastami and Srila Prabhupada Avirbhava Mahotsava in Helsinki, Finland
• Finland´s First Ratha Yatra Festival In Helsinki May 27th 2006