New Books in Religion Knut A. Jacobsen, "Hinduism in the World: Migrations and Global Presence" (Routledge, 2025)
Jan 22, 2026
Knut A. Jacobsen, a Professor of religion at the University of Bergen, explores the global presence of Hinduism through his upcoming book. He dives into fascinating case studies, such as the Bengali sannyasin in Europe and the sacralization of identity for Sri Lankan Tamil Hindus. Jacobsen discusses how rituals adapt local geography, and the intriguing concept of 'spiritual migrants' like Yogananda spreading Hindu spirituality worldwide. He examines evolving beliefs in diaspora and the continuity of priestly lineages. This conversation reveals the vibrant, diverse nature of Hinduism beyond India.
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Early 20th-Century Global Hindu Presence
- Knut A. Jacobsen traced early Hindu global presence to figures like a Bengali sannyasin who settled in Europe from 1912 and lived in Norway from 1917–1945.
- Jacobsen uses lesser-known empirical cases to show Hindu globalization predates recent decades and has deep historical roots.
Sacralizing Global Spaces
- Jacobsen argues Hinduism sacralizes places worldwide by reworking sacred narratives and claiming ownership of non-Indian sites.
- This process expands Hindu sacred geography so locations outside South Asia become part of Hindu religious space.
Kapila Placed In California
- Jacobsen recounts Shankaracharya Chandra Sekharendra claiming the Kapila story's site was in California, dubbing it "Capilornia."
- A Kapila temple in California now celebrates that claim as part of expanding Puranic geography.
