- Hinduism in Denmark
In Denmark there are about 7,500-8,000
Hindus of Tamil Origin.Hindu, Krishna and Sikh Community in Denmark are Registered as reported in [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71377.htm International Religious Freedom Report 2006, Denmark]
Arrival of first Hindus of Srilankan Tamil Origin
The first Hindus of Sri Lankan Tamil origin came in 1983 because of the escalating conflict in Sri Lanka. It was mostly men, and they were categorized as de facto refugees. Today they have married or have got the family, they had to leave to Denmark, and around half of the Tamils have been granted Danish citizenship.
Hindus of Sri Lankan Tamil origin have realized that there will not be any solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka in the near future, and they have begun to rebuild or reorganize some of their cultural and religious representations in Denmark, so it can cope with the requirements of the traditions and Danish society as well. For example this creates an institutionalized Hinduism, where the temple has become the religious bearer per se (internal representation), and that the bharata-dance that has its roots in the Hindu-Bhakti, has become very popular among all the Tamils (external representation), because it communicates very well with Danish society.
In Denmark there are two consecrated Hindu temples: one dedicated to
Vinayakar or theGanesha and the other to the GoddessAbirami apart from the ISKCON temples.Indians in Denmark
Out of a population of 5.3 million, the Indian community at 2150 comprises 0.04%. (This Percentage excludes Srilankan Tamil Hindus.) Indian Nationals in Denmark are mainly Computer Professionals, Journalists, Doctors,Kiosk and restaurant owners. The Indians by and large, are law abiding and does not face any specific problems in Denmark. There are around 12 Indian Associations that organise cultural programmes and celebrate national-days and Indian festivals. Places of worship of different Indian faiths have been built in Copenhagen.
In the year 2007 there was reported an increase in amount of indians coming into Denmark. This was due to the danish society having a need for highly educated labor force. The biggest batch of indians that arrived in the 2007, with the help of Shammi Luthra was 35 Doctors. The doctors were from Appollo hosipital in New Delhi, they are working on the island called Jutland.
There are several Yoga and Meditation societies run by Danes and Indians. There are three local Radio (FM), viz 'Voice of India' which first received permission trough resident of Frederiksberg, was name changed into 'Pride of India', ‘Sabrang Radio’ and ‘Sunlight Radio’ run by people of Indian origin. A local TV channel called ‘India vision’ run by a Danish national of Indian origin, telecasts miscellaneous programmes for the community on Saturdays and Sundays .
TV-"Association",Indovision /Indiavision:"TV-Association", Indovisions,Constitution is signed by five persons and the "Association" also has "Honoured Members " known as "Æresmedlemmer". A part of the TV-Association related Constitution is also formulated as follow:"Membership is open to everyone, but - all Indians and people of Indian origin residing in Denmark becomes automatically the members of the Association".
External links
* [http://www.baumann-martin.de/EASR-Tamil-H-Panel.html Shakti in Denmark - a focal point for many Tamils in Diaspora]
* [http://www.iskcon.com/worldwide/centres/europe.html ISKCON Centres in Denmark]
* [http://www.tamilnation.org/diaspora/denmark.htm Tamils: a Trans State Nation - Denmark]
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