First Grand Hindu Temple Of Paris Set To Open With 13-Day Cultural Festival This September

The BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir, located in Bussy-Saint-Georges, is scheduled to be inaugurated in September 2026 and is expected to attract devotees and visitors from across the world. Along with being a religious landmark, the temple is also envisioned to become a centre for culture, community engagement and interfaith harmony. Its opening will be celebrated with a 13-day Festival of Culture, offering visitors an opportunity to witness Hindu traditions, rituals and cultural programmes in the heart of France.

The inauguration is expected to be a landmark moment for France's Hindu community and a symbol of the growing cultural links between India and France.

A New Landmark Near Paris

Organisers describe the mandir as France's first traditionally designed stone Hindu temple, built using stones brought from India. Ahead of the inauguration, swamis and devotees gathered for the sacred Kalash and Dhaja Dand Pujas atop the temple's shikhars and central dome. Vedic chants and prayers were offered for peace, harmony and the well-being of local communities.

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Festival Of Culture: Key Events

The inaugural Festival of Culture will run from September 2 to 14, 2026, featuring a series of religious and cultural celebrations:

• Palkhi Yatra - September 2
• Vedic Mahayagna - September 2 to 13
• Jal Yatra - September 3
• Nagar Yatra - September 5
• Murti Pratishtha - September 6
• Dedication Assembly - September 6
• Mahant Swami Maharaj Janma Jayanti - September 13
• Hindu Cultural Celebration - September 14

The festival is expected to attract participants from France and abroad, with processions, ceremonies and cultural programmes showcasing different aspects of Hindu traditions.

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Why Travellers May Want To Visit

The new mandir is expected to become a notable addition to the cultural landscape of the Paris region. With its traditional stone architecture and cultural programming, it may appeal not only to devotees but also to travellers interested in Indian heritage, spirituality and architecture.