OCHS Hindu Chaplaincy aims to serve the needs of Hindu and Jain students and staff at the University of Oxford. We aim to ensure that students have people to walk alongside them if or when they are going through dark periods, struggles, or grief. We work to ensure that everyone’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing is cared for and nurtured during what can be an uncertain time.

You do not have to be experiencing a spiritual crisis to meet with Oxford Hindu Chaplaincy’s chaplain, Shaunaka Rishi Das. He and the rest of the Oxford Hindu Chaplaincy team are practised listeners with a wealth of experience in supporting people through difficulties relating to relationships, work, and study, as well as spiritual and vocational concerns. If we are unable to help, we often know someone who can. The Chaplaincy is involved in care, advice, advocacy, celebration, and education.

OCHS Hindu Chaplaincy works to support the wellbeing and resilience of students and staff. This includes offering pastoral listening and prayer, as well as opportunities for relaxation and refreshment throughout the academic year.

Working with the Hindu Student Society (HUM), we host bhajans and puja each week during term. We also hold a weekly Bhagavad-gita study group, and kirtan (chanting) is offered each month. In this way, OCHS becomes a pop-up temple, offering students a place to practise their religious rituals.

We also host celebrations of festivals that fall during term time, often including Ramnavami, Shivratri, and Diwali. Each year, we welcome volunteers (sevaks) to help organise these festivals, and we are fortunate to have many people who assist with every aspect, from singers and instruments to decorations and food. Everyone is involved in some way. These volunteers are the driving force behind the festivals, and we are grateful for their contribution.