Maha Shivaratri in Mauritius
Literally translating to “Great Night of Lord Shiva”, Maha Shivaratri is the most popular Hindu festival in Mauritius that is observed each year according to the Hindu calendar, specifically on the 13th night and 14th day of the 11th Hindu month of Maagh or Phalguna, which is February to March in the common calendar.
During the festival, you will see devotees of Lord Shiva converging by the thousands, with great reverence and fervor to the sacred lake, Ganga Talao, which is located deep in secluded mountainous highlands.
Actually, this sacred lake plays an important role in the festival, with historical records showing that pilgrimage to this crater lake began in 1898. Preparations to this annual pilgrimage usually start weeks earlier of the festival, where devotees start crafting kanwars (colorful bamboo structures) for the procession known as Kanwar Yatra. Devotees also observe a strict vegetarian diet that would last for a week before leaving their homes to proceed to the lake.
During the festival, devotees will offer prayers and collect the sacred water from the lake, known as Ganga Jal, to pour on the Shiva lingams, which are a symbolic representation of the deity Shiva. The whole scene would be reminiscent of the great rituals performed on the banks of the holy Ganges River in India. (See All: Mauritius holiday packages)