Largest Hindu temple in southern hemisphere opens in South Africa

Hindu saints seek the blessings of deities on stage during the consecration ceremony and opening of the first phase of the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) Hindu Mandir, the largest Hindu temple and cultural complex in the Southern Hemisphere, in Johannesburg on February 2, 2025. The BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) Hindu Mandir in Johannesburg will serve as a temple and a hub for cultural enrichment, interfaith dialogue, and fostering harmony among diverse communities. -- (Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)

JOHANNESBURG (AFP): The largest Hindu temple and cultural complex in the southern hemisphere was unveiled in Johannesburg Sunday with scores of worshippers participating in a ceremony to mark the occasion.

Although less than two percent of South Africans identify as Hindu, it is the most followed religion among the country's Indian community.