Meet Bhanu Attri, the first-ever Hindu chaplain of the British Royal Navy

A pandit from Himachal Pradesh has made history by becoming the Royal Navy’s first-ever Hindu chaplain.

Bhanu Attri, 39, who grew up in the hill state before moving to the
UK’s Essex, formally passed out of the prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth last week. His appointment is not just a first for the Hindu community; he is also the Royal Navy’s first non-Christian chaplain.

Attri was among 148 new officers and two chaplains who completed their training and proudly passed out together.

So, who is Bhanu Attri? What will his role look like in the Navy? And why was he chosen for this important position? Here’s a closer look.

First, who is a chaplain?

In the Royal Navy, chaplains are there to provide religious guidance, pastoral care, and moral support to anyone in service, no matter what their faith may be. Whether on a ship, a submarine, or at a base, their role is to be a source of comfort and counsel for those who need it.

As a Hindu priest with decades of experience leading a temple in London, Attri will also bring his own traditions into the role. Alongside general support, he will conduct Hindu prayer ceremonies for personnel who follow the faith.

Today, there are about 40 Hindus serving full-time in the Royal Navy, along with another 30 in the Maritime Reserves. Across the UK military as a whole, more than 1,550 Hindus are serving full-time, with the majority in the army.

Who is Bhanu Attri?

At 39, Bhanu Attri completed his training journey that was unlike that of most naval cadets.

He underwent six weeks of officer training, which included sea survival exercises and four weeks aboard the warship HMS Iron Duke. This was followed by three weeks of specialised training that focused solely on the duties of a military chaplain.

Like all cadets, Attri then joined the intensive 29-week programme at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth. The training covered everything from leadership and naval history to seafaring, survival, and teamwork.

Beyond classrooms and parade grounds, cadets spent time on Dartmoor tackling leadership exercises, sailed aboard operational warships, and trained with specialist Vahana boats on the River Dart and the English Channel.

The programme culminated in the ceremonial passing-out parade, where families, friends, and senior naval leaders watched cadets being recognised as the “leaders of tomorrow.”

Reflecting on his journey, Attri said, “As a Hindu brought up in India, the chance to represent individuals from other diverse religions brings meaningful representation for the Hindu community and reflects the Navy’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and spiritual care for all.”

He added: “My family feels immense pride, a pride grounded in generations of faith, service, and resilience.”

Why was Attri selected for the role?

The Hindu Council UK (HCUK) welcomed his appointment, noting that Attri had been proposed as an ideal candidate after meeting a demanding set of criteria.

These included personal fitness, both physical and mental, a principled approach to faith and philosophy, pastoral and reflective qualities, and a strong educational background equivalent to a Hindu scriptural degree.

His years of experience in leadership, his ability to foster interfaith relations, and his fluency in English made him an especially strong fit for the Navy’s chaplaincy.

“The training can be arduous, requiring medical fitness standards and readiness for duty 24/7 at short notice,” explained Anil Bhanot, HCUK’s advisor to the Ministry of Defence.

He added that Attri’s appointment could encourage more young British Hindus to explore careers in the military. “Although our spiritual bhoomi (land) is India, our karmabhoomi is the United Kingdom — and the MoD represents our protective arm,” he said.

Back home, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu congratulated Attri on his achievement, calling it a matter of pride not only for the state but also for the entire country.

सोलन ज़िला के गढ़खल निवासी भानु अत्री जी को ब्रिटेन की रॉयल नेवी में हिंदू चैप्लेन (पादरी) के रूप में चयनित होने पर हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएँ।

भानु अत्री जी पहले भारतीय हैं, जिन्हें ब्रिटेन की रॉयल नेवी में यह गौरवपूर्ण दायित्व मिला है। उनकी यह उपलब्धि हिमाचल के साथ-साथ पूरे… pic.twitter.com/cVRabMesBW

— Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) August 18, 2025

In an X post, Sukhu said, “Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Bhanu Atri ji, a resident of Garhkhal in Solan district, on being selected as a Hindu chaplain (pastor) in the British Royal Navy. Bhanu Atri ji is the first Indian to receive this prestigious responsibility in the British Royal Navy. His achievement is a matter of pride and inspiration not only for Himachal but for the entire country.”

With input from agencies