Hinduism in Russia is a relatively new and small, but growing, religion. The vast majority of Russians identify as Russian Orthodox Christians, but Hinduism has gained a foothold in the country in recent decades. There are a few reasons for this.
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Soviet Perestroika: In the late 1980s, the Soviet Union underwent a period of political and economic reform known as perestroika. This included a loosening of restrictions on religion, which allowed Hinduism to begin to be practiced more openly in Russia.
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Indian Diaspora: There is a growing Indian diaspora in Russia, and many of these immigrants have brought their Hindu faith with them.
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Interest in Eastern Philosophy: There has been a growing interest in Eastern philosophy in Russia in recent years, and Hinduism is one of the most well-known Eastern religions.
Most Hindus in Russia are followers of Hare Krishna, a branch of Hinduism founded in the 1960s by Swami Prabhupada. Hare Krishna is a form of Krishnaism, which focuses on the worship of the Hindu god Krishna. There are also a small number of Hindus in Russia who follow other denominations of Hinduism, such as Shaivism and Shaktism.
The exact number of Hindus in Russia is difficult to determine, but estimates range from 100,000 to 150,000. This represents a small fraction of the total population of Russia, which is over 140 million people. However, is one of the fastest-growing religions in Russia, and its influence is likely to continue to grow in the years to come.
There are currently no Hindu temples in Russia, but there are a number of Hare Krishna centers that serve as places of worship for Hindus. The Indian community in Russia is currently lobbying for the construction of the first Hindu temple in Moscow.
