Hinduism in Bulgaria

Hinduism is a minor religion in Bulgaria. Hinduism spread to Bulgaria by ISKCON. ISKCON started spreading Krishna Consciousness to Bulgarians from 1996. ISKCON was registered as a religious denomination on November 27, 1991[1]. It was the first religion outside of Orthodox Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Armenian-Gregorian denominations to be registered in Bulgaria.

History

Indian spiritual and ancient culture gained attention during the national revival[1]. The most prominent scholar interested in Indian culture was Georgi Stoykov Rakovski, who believed aspects of Hindu mythology, such as the yakṣas and yakṣinīs, resembled similar beings to Bulgarian folk tales, songs, and rituals[1].

In 1991, the first missionaries of ISKCON arrived in Bulgaria from India and Italy[1]. In 2007, the organization decided they needed legal entities to better promote their spiritual message[1]. One of the most central devotees, Asen Genov, attempted to rebrand ISKCON as an entirely new religious organization, not only as a branch. The City Court of Sofia refused this appeal, claiming it resembled the branch of ISKCON too closely[2]. After a series of appeals, Genov eventually brought the case to the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled in his favor stating Bulgaria had "violated his rights under Articles 9  and 11 ECHR"[2]. Genov was able to re-register ISKCON as a new denomination in 2017.

In 1997, the East-West Indological Foundation was established in Sofia, Bulgaria to facilitate Indian culture, wisdom, and views cross Bulgaria[1]. The Foundation holds opportunities for education of Indian culture, including a focus on Hindu beliefs.

The Art of Living Foundation of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has existed in Bulgaria since 2005[1]. More than 20,000 people in Bulgaria have attended workshops organized by the foundation. These include three humanitarian projects: Healthy and Happy Bulgaria, Childhood without Aggression, and Freedom in Prison[1]. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visited Bulgaria for the first time in 2009.

ISKCON in Bulgaria

There are 500+ Indians that live and work in Bulgaria.[3][4] In a population census of 2011, around 500 Bulgarians marked their religious denomination as ISKCON, making it the largest Hindu sect in Bulgaria[1]. Most official sources claim the number is closer to 150 to 200 people. Most followers are concentrated in the capital of Sofia and Plovdiv [1].

Organizational System

ISKCON in Bulgaria is run by a general assembly called the Brahmana Council and a president[1].Local branches are run by local councils and a temple President. Anyone is able to become an ISKCON devotee after a year of complying with its statutes and moral code of the community[1].

Temples and Places of Worship

The main temple is located in the southern part of Sofia in the Malinova district[1]. The temple holds worship everyday at 08:00 in the form of a Srimad Bhagavatam class[5]. There is also an ISKCON shrine established in Aheloy.

Rathayatra in Bulgaria

The first Rathayatra parade in Bulgaria was organized in 1996. Till March 2008, twelve Rathayatra festivals were celebrated in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Rathayatra festival was the first in the Balkans.

Rathayatra is one of the Major Vaishnava Festival celebrated by Krishna’s devotees in Bulgaria, and it is attended even by devotees from neighboring Macedonia and Serbia.

Yoga in Bulgaria

Dr. B.V. Reddy is credited with bringing yoga to Bulgaria[6]. In 1989, a conference held at The Black Sea resort of Varna for the Red Cross with medical professionals and delegates from around the world[6]. Dr. B.V. Reddy introduced yoga as a way to eliminate toxins from the body without pharmaceuticals[6]. This is the first recorded instance of yoga being practiced in Bulgaria.

The Indian Embassy in Sofia has organized an International Day of Yoga (IDY) since 2015[7]. The first IDY Bulgaria was held on 21 June 2015 in 9 Bulgarian cities. The event is now held annually in more than 40 cities and towns across Bulgaria[8]. The event is free and open to all in order to promote "harmony and wellness"[9] and common Hindu beliefs.

The Art of Living Foundation of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar offers stress control programs and courses on breathing techniques and meditation[1].

Criticism of Hinduism in Bulgaria

In 1993, the original members of ISKCON attempted to establish a temple in the Philipovtsi area of Sofia[1]. There was a campaign of locals supported by the Mayor to refuse the temple. Resistance against the followers climaxed when their homes were targeted and they were shot at[1]. This began a long-standing prejudice against the society which placed members as drug addicts and prone to suicide[1].

In 2015, during the Rathayatra festival in Bourgas, members were attacked by vandals and told "You are a sect! You must die!"[1]. One participant was wounded and taken to the hospital.

In August 2025, The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church released a statement condemning Hinduism in Bulgaria. He claimed Hindu movements in Bulgaria attempted to intertwine "pagan" beliefs with Christianity[10]. He condemned the idea of Jesus Christ as another spiritual leader. The Synod warned these religious groups use community outreach such as educational programs, peace projects, health improvement courses, cultural seminars, sports clubs, and stress relief seminars to indoctrinate Christians[10].

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Dimitrova Bratoeva, Milena. "Hinduism in Bulgaria". brill.com. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  2. ^ a b "Registering religious groups: Genov v Bulgaria | Law & Religion UK". 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  3. ^ "India - Bulgaria Bilateral Relations". Indembsofia. February 2020. Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  4. ^ "Chapter 11" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-26.
  5. ^ "ИСКОН - ISKCON Sofia". iskconsofia.com (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  6. ^ a b c "Yoga Therapy Comes to Bulgaria." Hinduism Today (1979-1989) 30 Sept. 1989: 5. ProQuest. Web. 18 Mar. 2026 .
  7. ^ "India - Bulgaria Bilateral Relations | Embassy of India, Sofia, Bulgaria". www.indembsofia.gov.in. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  8. ^ "India - Bulgaria Bilateral Relations | Embassy of India, Sofia, Bulgaria". www.indembsofia.gov.in. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  9. ^ "Celebration of the 11th International Day of Yoga in Bulgaria 21 June 2025 - Press Releases | Embassy of India, Sofia, Bulgaria". www.indembsofia.gov.in. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  10. ^ a b "Oбръщение на Св. Синод на БПЦ-БП относно езическата нео-индуистка пропаганда с лъжехристиянски елементи" (in Bulgarian). Archived from the original on 2026-01-19. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
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