page_title: Hinduism in South America
section_title: Hinduism in Suriname
hierarchical_section_title: Hinduism in South America / Hinduism in Suriname
caption_attribution_description: English: Arya Dewaker Temple, Paramaribo, Suriname
context_page_description: Hinduism in South America is found in several countries, but is strongest in the Indo-Caribbean populations of Guyana and Suriname.
  There are about 550,000 Hindus in South America, chiefly the descendants of Indian indentured laborers in the Guianas. There are about 270,000 Hindus in Guyana, 120,000 in Suriname, and some others in French Guiana. In Guyana and Suriname, Hindus form the second largest religion and in some regions and districts, Hindus forms the majority.
context_section_description: The story of Hinduism in Suriname is broadly parallel to that in Guyana. Indian indentured labourers were sent to colonial Dutch Guiana by special arrangement between the Dutch and British.  
  The difference is that the Netherlands' more liberal policy toward Hinduism allowed the culture to develop stronger. Examples are the lack of a rigid caste system and the almost universal reading of Gita and Ramayan.
  According to the 2012 census of Suriname, Hindus constitute 22.3% of the population.  Hindus are mostly concentrated in Northern coastal regions of Suriname: Nickerie, Wanica and Saramacca, where they constitute the largest religious group.  There are several hindu temples in Suriname.
caption: Arya Dewaker Hindu temple in Paramaribo.
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