Hinduism in Germany

German Hindus
Sri Kamakshi Amman temple in Hamm
Total population
c.130,000 (2017)
Religions
Shaivism (majority)
Vaishnavism, Shaktism (minority)
Scriptures
Agamas, Bhagavad Gita and Vedas
Languages
Sanskrit (sacred)
Hindi, Tamil, Pashto, Dari, Balinese, German, English (Majority)

Hinduism is a minority religion practiced by an estimated 100,000 to 150,0000 people, or an estimated 0.12% of the population in Germany.

It is the country’s fourth-largest religion after Christianity, irreligion, and Islam. The community is highly diverse, consisting primarily of Sri Lankan Tamil Hindus (refugees since the 1980s), Indian Hindus (post-1950s migrants and recent skilled workers), smaller Afghan Hindu and Balinese groups, and a modest number of German/European converts.

Germany’s encounter with Hinduism has a unique history. Unlike Britain’s colonial relationship with India, Germany’s engagement with Hinduism grew mainly out of academic and philosophical fascination.

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