Hindus in Spain have come together to form a united platform to work on issues of common interest and be a voice for the community.
A Federación Hindú de España (FHE) has reportedly been formed in Spain to unite all Hindus, defend-preserve-promote Hinduism, challenge-correct academic misrepresentation of Hinduism, advise local-regional-national governments on Hinduism and make Hindu representation, promote authentic yoga, claim equal standing with other religions, etc.
FHE reportedly intends to approach and enroll/affiliate other Hindu temples-organizations-groups all over Spain who are not members yet. In future, it also plans to conduct educational programs; train Hindu priests; create directory of Hindu temples- institutions-associations-groups of Spain; etc.
According to reports, founding Hindu groups included Veda Dharma (Madrid), Sudha Satva (Valencia), Arsha Vidya (Madrid) and Advaita Vidya (Barcelona); while Centro Védico Dharma (Alicante) and Om Shiva Shakti (Barcelona) joined later. FHE is expecting three other Hindu groups to join.
Per a rough estimate, there are about 50,000 Hindus in Spain, including Hindus of India-descent and Spanish followers of Hinduism. They are spread all over the country but Canary Islands have a large concentration of them. There are various Hindu groups in Spain; some of which are reportedly officially registered, while many are not registered yet. There are about 40 Hindu temples/worship-places/worship-groups in Spain, including temples in Valencia, Malaga, Melilla and Madrid; Hare Krishna temples in Madrid, Barcelona, Tenerife, Malaga, besides an institute and a farm; followers/groups/movements of Brahma-Kumaris, Mata Amritanandamayi Amma, Sathya Sai Baba, Siddha Yoga, Sahaja Yoga, etc. Various Hindu festivals, including Rath-Yatra, are celebrated. There is a Hindu temple in neighboring Gibraltar.I
Juan Carlos Ramchandani (Krishna Kripa Dasa) is the President of FHE. Other office-bearers include: Vice-President Swami Satyananda Sarasvati, Secretary Hari Das, Treasurer Pedro Soto, Public Relations Naren Herrero, Academic Relations Javier Ruiz Calderón Shankara, and India Representative (Varanasi) Álvaro Enterría; reports suggest.
“It was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this Hindu federation would help in this direction in Spain.” Said Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism.
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Excellent & Extremely encouraging news .
We must , similarly , have Hindu Organisations in all the countries of the world, try to learn Hindi & Sanskrit & hindu Scriptures , specially all our Four Vedas , First being RIG Ved, with its First mantra : ” Om agni meele Purohitam …..Ratnadhatmam” , followed by Bhagwat Gita & other Hindu Scriptures.
Also to some how have a Hindu Learned Vidhyawaan as Purohit who may conduct marriages & all the Solah Sanskars from Garbhadhan to Cremation according to our hindu vedic Dharma with sets of Vedas , Gita which is summary of the vedas , mahabharat, Ramayan & Upnishads etc. and facility for teaching of HINDI amongst all Hindus .please advise yr tel.Nos. & email id . rgds, SC GUPTA.mumbai : 9820587609.
Most important is people should be given confidence that they are wanted and there is no Brahmanism in Hinduism. all are welcome and respected.