Grand Bassin, a place of pilgrimage for the whole world

Mauritius' little Ganges is sure to make an impact. Grand Bassin is a volcanic lake at an altitude of over 700 metres near Bois Chéri. The water in this lake is considered to be a resurgence of the sacred Ganges in India. To understand the origin of this sacred place, we need to go back in time to the 19th century. At that time, Indian workers landed on the island. They needed a place of worship that reminded them of the famous Ganges, sacred in India, to purify their souls.

In 1897, a Hindu priest, Shri Jhummon Giri Gosagne, had a dream and received a message. He saw that the lake was connected to the sacred waters of the Ganges. Since then, religious people have used it as a place of pilgrimage to pray, meditate, perform ceremonies and rituals.

Another story about its origin: according to tradition, Shiva and his wife Parvati flew over Mauritius and marvelled at its beauty. They were so moved that the god Shiva shed a tear that turned into a lake.

The tone is set as soon as you arrive at Grand Bassin. Visitors are greeted by two immense statues of Shiva (carrying snakes and his spear) and Maa Durga (mother goddess who symbolises the divine forces and who is also Shiva's wife), 30 metres high and overlooking the lake.

Today, half a dozen temples stand in front of the mystical lake, open to devotees and visitors alike. If you want an exceptional view of the whole lake, we recommend climbing the 200 steps to the highest temple, which is dedicated to the god Hanuman.

Apart from its religious and spiritual aspects, Grand Bassin is a rich natural site where wildlife has made its home. Walkers will come across monkeys (sometimes aggressive if you have food on you). The lake, meanwhile, is 18 metres deep and home to a number of fish and eels. Due to the religious function of the area, fishing is prohibited.

What is Maha Shivaratree? Maha Shivaratree is the largest Hindu religious festival outside India. Every year, in February or March (depending on the lunar cycle), a huge pilgrimage takes place in Grand Bassin. Thousands of pilgrims gather for three days to worship the god Shiva near the shores of this volcanic lake. They dress in all white and walk in procession carrying a kanvar (a small temple decorated with flowers and mirrors, with an arch also decorated with flowers).

Devotees show their devotion by practising the puja ritual. They pray, burn incense and bring offerings of flowers and food to the temple. The sacred water is swallowed up by the offerings, turning into a small Ganges. At the end of the three days, the entire lake is covered in flowers, and as night falls, groups of devotees, in a trance, begin to sing and dance. The spectacle is almost hypnotic.