Grand Bassin: All You Need To Know About The Holy Temple In The Heart of Mauritius

Considered by many as the most sacred Hindu place in Mauritius, Grand Bassin or the Ganga Talao is a large lake formed out of a crater, situated near the western boundaries of the island, atop the mountains. The lake is quite deep, about 50-55 ft. and situated amidst picturesque views all around that adds to the tranquility of the lake.

It is surrounded by several colorful temples and idols of gods and goddesses; and witnesses a humongous fair every year during the festivals. Even the local people join in on this pilgrimage and visit the lake once every year to offer their prayers to the Lord.

If you have been planning to pay a visit to this auspicious lake, read on to know more.

History Of Grand Bassin

The Ganga Talao is so named due to its connection to the mighty river Ganges in India. History of Grand Bassin has it that a priest named Pandit Jhummon Giri Gossagne was the man who had had a dream about a holy lake, that was connected to the Ganges. This priest then set out on a seemingly impossible journey of finding one such lake. He came across a lake amidst volcanic rocks, above 1800 ft sea level, situated in a picturesque location; and felt that this was very lake he had dreamt of!

After Pandit Jhummon Giri founded the lake, pilgrims of all ages have been visiting it every year; traveling long distances just to visit the Lord. It is said that later a priest carried sacred Ganga water to the island and amidst much ceremony added it to the lake. Thus, the name ‘Ganga Talao’ or pool of the Ganges.

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Significance Of Grand Bassin

Ganga Talao Lake in Mauritius is a very popular pilgrim place that has gained popularity, because it is the largest of its kind, outside India. This large crater lake set amidst the secluded mountainous area is beautifully adorned by temples and statues of deities. The entire land is considered sacred and pious in the minds of the locals.

There are stories about how Lord Shiva once landed on the island with his wife Parvati, enchanted by the beauty of the island and the great lake they decided to have a stroll through it. Legend has it that Shiva dropped a few drops of Ganga water accidentally into the pool and it became sacred.

Since then the island has become a hotspot for celebration and mirth on the day of Maha Shivaratri, which is a major Hindu celebration dedicated to Lord Shiva. Thousands of devotees face the hardships of traversing the rugged island, and make their way to the sacred lake, with handmade “kanwars” or shrines which are put down on the banks and offered prayers.

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The Magnanimous Hindu Deities

There are many colorful idols all around the lake, with legendary stories spun around them. Besides these temples, there are giant statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga built in the open, and for all to see. These huge statues are a real marvel! The Grand Bassin Shiva statue is a whopping 108 ft in height, and is the third highest Shiva in the world. It is known as the ‘Mangal Mahadev’ or the gentle and caring Mahadev.

A Durga statue that shares the same land, and stands at a staggering 108 ft. has recently been inaugurated and attracts a large number of Hindus besides tourists belonging to other religions.
Devotees ardently making the journey to get a glimpse of the Lord, or a touch of the sacred pool is believed to be cured of all illnesses!

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Cultural Importance

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The significance of the Grand Bassin sacred lake and temple will not be clear unless we take a quick sneak peek into the history of the Indian laborers residing in Mauritius. This island was earlier inhabited by over half a million indentured laborers and slaves of the British Dynasty, who were brought to this place with promises of a better life.

But far from better, the island of Mauritius earlier had extremely rough and uninhabitable conditions prevalent, which made it harder to survive for the ones who were still alive. Several workers worked in large sugarcane fields under harsh conditions, to earn their daily meal. Religion and spiritual beliefs were the only driving forces for the inhabitants who sought the almighty’s blessings to help them get past their many ordeals.

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Tips For Visiting The Grand Bassin

• This one of its kind pilgrimage, is open to all, throughout the year, and can be visited any time of the day. There is no entry fee perse, although donations for the maintenance and upkeep of the Ganga Talao Grand Bassin in Mauritius are always welcome. Be sure to get to the temple early during the auspicious event of the Maha Shivaratri as the parking spots fill up in no time at all. You will also witness thousands of devout devotees headed for the sacred lake on foot.
• The weather in Mauritius is very pleasant during the day, although it might get a tad bit chilly at night. It is therefore wise to carry warm clothing along. During Maha Shivaratri, it almost always rains every year, making it a great time to plan for a Grand Bassin reunion with friends and family.
• Mist sometimes rises from the lake and makes it colder inside the lake complex. Make sure you are well prepared for sudden chilly winds, while at the lake.
• The lake is considered sacred, so do not feed the fish and eel that live in the lake.
• If you aren’t hard pressed for time, hire a car and plan to spend an entire day at the Ganga Talao. You may also spend a few hours at the Lake after visiting the temple, before you move on to explore other nearby attractions. The Grand Bassin Mauritius map gives you clear directions to the sacred lake and the tourist spots nearby that you can visit.
• Also, don’t forget to take off your shoes while entering the Lake complex and the temples.

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So, what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to the Grand Bassin temple in Mauritius and gear up to soak in the calm and peaceful air, while reawakening your spiritual self.

Arpita Kumari