Finding Inner Peace in Brussels: A Guide to the City’s Hindu Temples

Brussels has two Hindu temples, and they do different things. Ram Mandir in Etterbeek is the older and quieter of the two; Brussels Mandir in Evere is the busier community hub. Between them they cover both reasons people go.

Ram Mandir, Etterbeek

The oldest Hindu temple in Brussels, established more than thirty years ago. It closed for a period and has since reopened. The atmosphere is quiet and welcoming — a place for reflection as much as for formal worship, and an easy first visit if you are not sure what to expect.

• Morning pujas — Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 to 11:30
• Address — Place Van Meyel 28, 1040 Etterbeek
• Metro — Diamant
• Bus — 21, 79 and 80, stop Carina

Brussels Mandir, Evere

The busier of the two, and more of a community centre: cultural celebrations, educational workshops and spiritual lectures alongside worship. It has hosted visiting speakers — a talk by Br. Shubamrita, a disciple of Amma, among them — and runs events of that kind regularly.

• Address — 123–125 Rue Colonel Bourg, B-1140 Evere
• Getting there — well served by public transport

Evere has a large Indian community, so this is often where families end up for festivals; see our note on the commune if you are choosing where to live.

If you are new to Brussels

These are among the easier places to meet people without having to be sociable at anybody — you can simply turn up. For the broader problem of building a circle here, see making new friends in Belgium.