The Netherlands is home to a vibrant Hindu community, and several temples across the country serve as spiritual and cultural hubs for devotees. These temples not only provide a place for religious worship but also host various cultural, social, and spiritual events. From the Sri Vishnu Mandir in Amstelveen to the Shri Krishna Mandir in Rotterdam, each temple offers a unique experience for visitors. Whether you are looking for spiritual peace, cultural immersion, or festive celebrations, these Hindu temples represent the essence of Hindu faith and tradition in the Netherlands.

10 Hindu temples to visit in the Netherlands

Temple Name	Location	Address
Sri Vishnu Mandir	Amstelveen	Laan van de Helende Meesters 10, 1186 AM Amstelveen
Arya Samaj Amsterdam	Amsterdam	Marco Polostraat 211, 1057 WK Amsterdam
Shri Sanatan Dharm Mandir	The Hague	Neherkade 297, 2521 VB The Hague
Shri Krishna Mandir	Rotterdam	Boezemstraat 327, 3034 EL Rotterdam
Sewa Dhaam Mandir	The Hague	Zwetstraat 56, 2522 EK The Hague
Shri Ram Mandir	Schiedam	Fabrieksstraat 1, 3114 AK Schiedam
Radha Krishna Mandir	Almere	Tussen de Vaarten Zuid 123, 1325 SC Almere
Shri Hanuman Mandir	Den Helder	Spoorstraat 66, 1781 JE Den Helder
Shree Ganesha Temple	Eindhoven	Hastelweg 231, 5652 CL Eindhoven
ISKCON Amsterdam	Amsterdam	Van Hilligaertstraat 5, 1072 JX Amsterdam

1. Sri Vishnu Mandir

• Location: Amstelveen, near Amsterdam
• Address: Laan van de Helende Meesters 10, 1186 AM Amstelveen
• About: Sri Vishnu Mandir is a significant Hindu temple in the Netherlands. It serves the Hindu community and hosts religious festivals, prayer sessions, and community gatherings.
• How to Get There: Take Bus 199 or 174 from Amsterdam Central Station to Amstelveen.
• Things to Do: Participate in prayers, offer pujas, attend cultural events, and enjoy the calm surroundings.
• Things to Carry: Comfortable clothing, offering items for rituals.
• Nearby Places: Visit Amstelveen parks, or explore Amsterdam’s attractions like Rijksmuseum and Vondelpark.

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2. Arya Samaj Amsterdam

• Location: Amsterdam
• Address: Marco Polostraat 211, 1057 WK Amsterdam
• About: Arya Samaj Temple in Amsterdam focuses on Vedic teachings and rituals. It is a hub for spiritual growth and community services.
• How to Get There: Accessible by tram or bus from Amsterdam Central Station.
• Things to Do: Attend Vedic rituals, educational programs, and cultural events.
• Things to Carry: Personal prayer items or books related to Vedic teachings.
• Nearby Places: Explore the Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum, both located in Amsterdam.

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3. Shri Sanatan Dharm Mandir

• Location: The Hague
• Address: Neherkade 297, 2521 VB The Hague
• About: A prominent temple for the Hindu diaspora, offering religious services, spiritual teachings, and cultural programs.
• How to Get There: Take Tram 2 from The Hague Central Station.
• Things to Do: Join puja sessions, attend Hindu festivals, and interact with the local Hindu community.
• Things to Carry: Offerings for the deities, flowers, or sweets.
• Nearby Places: Visit The Peace Palace, Madurodam miniature park, or Scheveningen Beach.

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4. Shri Krishna Mandir

• Location: Rotterdam
• Address: Boezemstraat 327, 3034 EL Rotterdam
• About: Shri Krishna Mandir offers a peaceful space for worship and celebration of Hindu festivals. It is an important temple for the local Hindu community.
• How to Get There: Accessible by tram and metro from Rotterdam Central Station.
• Things to Do: Offer prayers, attend temple ceremonies, and enjoy the serene atmosphere.
• Things to Carry: Sweets or fruits as offerings.
• Nearby Places: Explore Euromast Tower, and the cube houses, or take a boat tour through Rotterdam’s iconic harbor.

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5. Sewa Dhaam Mandir

• Location: The Hague
• Address: Zwetstraat 56, 2522 EK The Hague
• About: This temple offers spiritual services and supports community activities. Sewa Dhaam Mandir is known for its welcoming atmosphere and devotion to social causes.
• How to Get There: Take a bus from The Hague Central Station.
• Things to Do: Attend meditation sessions, participate in community services, and join Hindu festivals.
• Things to Carry: Items for prayer, like incense or flowers.
• Nearby Places: Enjoy The Hague’s city center, the Binnenhof, and the Mauritshuis art museum.

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6. Shri Ram Mandir

• Location: Schiedam
• Address: Fabrieksstraat 1, 3114 AK Schiedam
• About: Shri Ram Mandir is a key place for Hindu worship in Schiedam. The temple organizes regular services and religious festivals.
• How to Get There: Accessible by train from Rotterdam.
• Things to Do: Join in daily prayers, attend special religious ceremonies, and engage with the local Hindu community.
• Things to Carry: Devotional items for offerings.
• Nearby Places: Explore Schiedam’s windmills and gin distilleries.

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7. Radha Krishna Mandir

• Location: Almere
• Address: Tussen de Vaarten Zuid 123, 1325 SC Almere
• About: This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha. It holds religious ceremonies, festivals, and satsangs.
• How to Get There: Almere is a 30-minute drive from Amsterdam, or accessible by train.
• Things to Do: Participate in bhajans, kirtans, and festivals like Janmashtami.
• Things to Carry: Personal prayer items and sweets for offerings.
• Nearby Places: Visit the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve and Almere city center.

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8. Shri Hanuman Mandir

• Location: Den Helder
• Address: Spoorstraat 66, 1781 JE Den Helder
• About: This temple focuses on worshipping Lord Hanuman and offers regular services and community gatherings.
• How to Get There: Accessible by train from Amsterdam or Utrecht.
• Things to Do: Participate in Hanuman Jayanti and recite Hanuman Chalisa.
• Things to Carry: Offering items such as fruits and flowers.
• Nearby Places: Explore Fort Kijkduin and the Den Helder Maritime Museum.

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9. Shree Ganesha Temple

• Location: Eindhoven
• Address: Hastelweg 231, 5652 CL Eindhoven
• About: This is a vibrant temple that celebrates all major Hindu festivals, particularly Ganesh Chaturthi.
• How to Get There: Take a train to Eindhoven from major cities like Amsterdam or The Hague.
• Things to Do: Offer prayers, take part in festival celebrations, and join community events.
• Things to Carry: Offerings of sweets and flowers.
• Nearby Places: Visit the Philips Museum and the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven.

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10. ISKCON Amsterdam

• Location: Amsterdam
• Address: Van Hilligaertstraat 5, 1072 JX Amsterdam
• About: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) offers daily bhajans, kirtans, and a free vegetarian feast on Sundays.
• How to Get There: Easily accessible by public transport in Amsterdam.
• Things to Do: Participate in chanting, meditation, and feasting with devotees.
• Things to Carry: Comfortable clothing and an open heart to participate in spiritual practices.
• Nearby Places: Explore the Amsterdam canals, Rijksmuseum, and Van Gogh Museum.

History of Hinduism in the Netherlands

The history of Hinduism in the Netherlands traces its roots to the early 20th century but became more prominent after the mid-20th century. A large wave of Hindu immigrants arrived in the Netherlands from Suriname, a former Dutch colony in South America, during the 1970s. This migration occurred after Suriname gained independence in 1975, causing many Hindustani-Surinamese—primarily descendants of Indian indentured laborers who had migrated to Suriname in the 19th century under British colonial rule—to move to the Netherlands for better economic opportunities and stability. Today, they form the majority of the Hindu population in the country.

Hinduism in the Netherlands has flourished with the establishment of temples and cultural organizations. Temples such as the Shri Vishnu Mandir in The Hague and the Arya Samaj temple in Amsterdam serve as community centers, helping preserve religious and cultural traditions. These temples are essential in organizing festivals like Diwali and Holi, fostering a sense of community among Hindus. Over time, Hinduism has become an integral part of the Netherlands’ multicultural society, with contributions in areas such as yoga, meditation, and holistic health becoming widely embraced by the broader Dutch population.

Hindu population in the Netherlands

The Hindu population in the Netherlands is relatively small, constituting about 0.6% of the total population. This translates to around 100,000 people as of recent estimates. Most of the Hindus in the Netherlands are from the Indo-Surinamese community, which immigrated from Suriname during the 1970s and 1980s. There are also Hindu immigrants from India, Sri Lanka, and a smaller number of Western followers of Hinduism​

How Hinduism is Practiced in the Netherlands Compared to India

Hinduism is practiced differently in the Netherlands compared to India, primarily due to cultural, social, and demographic differences. In the Netherlands, Hinduism is mainly practiced by the Hindu-Surinamese community, whose ancestors migrated from India to Suriname as indentured laborers during British colonial rule. The practice of Hinduism in the Netherlands tends to focus heavily on preserving cultural identity and maintaining religious traditions from Suriname, which are rooted in both North Indian and Caribbean influences. Temples serve not only as places of worship but also as centers for social gatherings, cultural events, and community support, playing a vital role in preserving Hindu traditions.

In contrast, Hinduism in India is woven deeply into the fabric of everyday life, influencing the social, cultural, and religious landscape of the country. With its long history and diverse manifestations across regions, Hindu practices in India vary widely, from grand temple festivals to daily rituals performed at home. In India, temples are often large, highly frequented, and central to community life, while Hinduism in the Netherlands tends to be more individual and community-based, with fewer grand-scale religious processions or festivals due to the smaller size of the community. Additionally, Hindu practices in the Netherlands often adapt to the multicultural context, blending traditional rituals with modern elements to resonate with younger generations growing up in a Western society.

How Hinduism spread in the Netherlands Demographically and Location-wise

how Hinduism spread in the Netherlands demographically and location-wise:

1. Randstad Region:
   • The Hague (Den Haag): Largest Hindu population due to Surinamese migration in the 1970s.
   • Rotterdam: Significant Surinamese-origin Hindu community.
   • Amsterdam: Growing but smaller Hindu population, including Indian expats.
2. Other Major Cities:
   • Utrecht: Moderate Hindu community with both Surinamese and Indian immigrants.
   • Schiedam & Zoetermeer: Substantial Hindu populations, close to Rotterdam and The Hague.
3. Regional Focus:
   • South Holland (Zuid-Holland): Highest concentration of Hindus in The Hague and Rotterdam.
   • North Holland (Noord-Holland): Hindu communities in Amsterdam and surrounding areas.
   • Eindhoven: Growing community of Indian professionals.
4. Demographic Groups:
   • Surinamese Hindus: Majority of the Hindu population, migrating in the 1970s-1980s.
   • Indian Expats: Increasing numbers of professionals and students in recent years.
   • Smaller Communities: Other groups include Nepalese, Sri Lankans, and Fijians.
5. Hindu Temples:
   • Temples and cultural centers located in The Hague, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and nearby cities serve as community hubs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hinduism in the Netherlands has primarily spread through migration, with the largest concentrations found in the Randstad region, particularly in cities like The Hague, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. The majority of the Hindu population is of Surinamese origin, migrating after Suriname’s independence in the 1970s, with a growing number of Indian professionals and students contributing to the demographic in recent years. Hindu temples and cultural institutions in these cities serve as key centers for religious and social activities, reflecting the strong presence of the Hindu community in the country.

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