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Nithya Raman’s religion is Hinduism. Religion News Service described the Los Angeles leader as “a practicing Hindu” when she was elected mayor in November 2026. Her Hindu faith is part of a family background rooted in Kerala and Tamil heritage, though she has said little publicly in the sources reviewed about how she practices it.
Nithya Raman Early Life and Background
Nithya Varsha Raman was born on July 28, 1981, in Thrissur, Kerala, India. According to Wikipedia, she is a Tamil Indian American born into an Iyer family. Her family moved to Louisiana when she was six and later settled in Burlington, Massachusetts.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Harvard University in 2003 and a master’s degree in urban planning from MIT in 2008. She founded Transparent Chennai, a research organization focused on sanitation in India, and moved to Los Angeles in 2013. She has served on the Los Angeles City Council, representing District 4, since 2020.
Nithya Raman Religion and Religious Views
The clearest public statement of her faith comes from the press. Religion News Service ran the headline “Nithya Raman, a practicing Hindu, elected as mayor of Los Angeles,” republished by Baptist News Global. The piece calls her “a Hindu and Democratic Socialist” and reports that incumbent Karen Bass conceded the race. Wikipedia lists her as the first Hindu mayor of Los Angeles, citing the same reporting.
Beyond that identification, the sources reviewed do not describe her temple attendance, specific traditions, or personal spiritual beliefs. Readers looking for those details will not find them documented in credible reporting, and none are claimed here.
Raman is one of several American politicians of Hindu faith in the news. For comparison, see our article on Vivek Ramaswamy’s religion and our look at Usha Vance’s religion and spiritual background.
Nithya Raman Election Result
In the November 2026 general election, Raman defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, according to Wikipedia’s election table (54.7% to 45.3%). Bass conceded on Thursday morning after the vote, per the Religion News Service report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What religion is Nithya Raman?
Nithya Raman is Hindu. Religion News Service described her as a practicing Hindu in its November 2026 coverage of her election as mayor of Los Angeles.
Was Nithya Raman raised Hindu?
She was born in Kerala, India, into a Tamil Iyer family, according to Wikipedia. The sources reviewed do not describe her childhood religious practice in detail, so the specifics of her upbringing are not documented here.
Is Nithya Raman the first Hindu mayor of Los Angeles?
Wikipedia’s article on Raman describes her as the first Hindu mayor of Los Angeles, citing Religion News Service reporting.
Does Nithya Raman talk about her faith in her political work?
The reporting reviewed identifies her as a practicing Hindu but does not quote her describing how her faith shapes her policy positions. No such claim is made here.
