BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha was invited to manage the Hindu Faith Centre at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024, providing essential spiritual support and meditation facilities for athletes from around the world. The service offered a serene space for athletes to engage in prayers, meditation, and reflection, helping them maintain their spiritual and mental wellbeing amidst intense competition.
The Hindu Faith Centre provided dedicated chaplaincy services, offering personalised spiritual guidance and support. With a significant number of participants from India and various other countries, the Hindu Faith Centre offered familiar and comforting religious practices, fostering a sense of community and support for all Hindu and Jain athletes far from home. Indian athletes and others expressed immense gratitude for the support and comfort provided by the Hindu Faith Centre, which enriched their Olympics experience.
Archana Girish Kamath, who represented Team India in Table Tennis, shared: “Thank you for having a centre like this. It has been really nice to come down here and pray. Thank you so much.”
The Hindu Faith Centre formed part of a comprehensive Multi-Faith Centre that includes places of prayer and reflection for Buddhists, Christians, Jews and Muslims, promoting interfaith harmony and understanding during the Olympics.
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After meeting BAPS volunteers at the Hindu Faith Centre, Brother James Hayes, a Catholic Chaplain, observed: “What a delight to spend some time with you in your temple. We have so much in common!”
By housing various places of worship, the Multi-Faith Centre ensured all athletes had access to spiritual support, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the Olympics and the celebration of global diversity.
Deep Patel, a BAPS volunteer from Paris, added: “We are pleased and grateful that BAPS was invited to set up this centre to serve Hindu athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“The centre reflects His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj’s emphasis on peace, unity and spiritual strength as values that transcend national and cultural boundaries to truly unite people, whether at the world’s foremost sporting event or far beyond.”
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The initiative highlights the importance of mental and spiritual wellbeing for athletes, demonstrating how faith and meditation can enhance performance and resilience, reflecting India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage at a global level.
*Info: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha