Grand Bassin

Tucked away in a secluded area deep in the South West region of Mauritius is the Grand Bassin, or Ganga Talao, a crater lake approximately 1800 feet above sea level and the most sacred place for Hindu's in Mauritius.

A rich priest called Pandi Sanjibonial had returned from India to Mauritius with a dream of creating a place of pilgrimage for Hindu's to celebrate the main festival of Shiva. He came across the Grand Bassin and decided this would be the perfect place to turn his dream into reality. He set about creating a temple on the banks of the lake and dedicated it to Lord Shiva. He travelled back to India and returned with several artefacts and deities, including a huge Shiva lingam (representation of Shiva) and a Bhairo Baba (a deity in the form of a dog).

After the site was consecrated in 1866, Pandi Sanjibonial lead the first pilgrimage to the area. A huge festival followed and large amounts of money, land, cart and oxen were donated to the resident priests.

The biggest and most spectacular pilgrimage to the lake takes place towards the end of February, beginning of March where up to 400,00 Hindu devotees travel to the area to celebrate the great night of Lord Shiva.