Hinduism in Austria

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Hinduism is a minority religion in Austria, and according to the 2001 census, it was the religion of 3629 people. Since 1998, the 'Hindu Community in Austria' (HRÖ), the official representative of Hindus in Austria, has been able to call itself an 'Official registered confessional community', yet does not enjoy full legal recognition from the state.^[1]

History

In 1980 the Bengali Bimal Kundu founded the first Hindu religious society in Austria, for Hindus immigrating from the Indian subcontinent. He now runs a small temple, located at a room in the Afro-Asian Institute.^[1] A decade later, the HRÖ was established, and since 1999 has been recognised as an 'Official registered confessional community'. It is one of eleven religious groups that constitute confessional communities according to the Austrian Law on the Status of Religious Confessional Communities.^[2] It is not yet a legally recognised religion, and therefore is not eligible for support from the state, however they may be eligible for this after 20 years of existence.^[3]

Other Hindu groups in Austria

• HMA Hindu Mandir Association is one of the oldest organisation in Vienna. Established in 1991 has a yearly Krishna Janmaashtami,Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali Mela festival & Bhagwati Jagran.
• ISKCON, more commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement has three centres in Austria, all located in Vienna:
  • East of Eden,
  • Govinda,
  • ISKCON Center for Vedic Studies.
• The Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mission has established a mandir in Vienna, which has a yearly Krishna Janmaashtami festival.
• Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU), a new age neo-Hindu spiritual organisation has three centres in Austria, located in Vienna, Graz and Rankweil.^[4]

See also

• Encyclopedia of Hinduism
• Religion in Austria

External links

• Hindu Mandir Association
• Hindu community in Austria (HRÖ)
• Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir
• ISKCON Austria & Germany (In German)
• Churches and Religious communities in Vienna

1. "HRÖ - Our History". Hroe.at. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
2. "Austria". State.gov. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
3. "Churches and religious communities". Wien.gv.at. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
4. "Brahma Kumaris Official Website - FAQ". Brahmakumaris.org. 2000-01-01. Retrieved 2016-03-22.