Ganga Talao
Ganga Talao | |
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Ganga Talab; Grand Bassin | |
Location | Mauritius |
Coordinates | 20°25′05″S 57°29′31″E / 20.41806°S 57.49194°E |
Surface elevation | 550 m (1,800 ft) |
Settlements | Savanne |
Ganga Talao (commonly known as Grand Bassin) is a
The Shiv Mandir.
Etymology
Ganga Talao literally means the "Lake of Ganga", an allusion to the Grand Bassin's symbolic connection with the Indian river Ganga (Ganges).
History
This section needs additional citations for verification. (October 2018) |
In 1866, when Pandit Sanjibonlal came back to Mauritius after his first indentured contract was over, he came as a merchant via
During his stay as indentured laborer he had spotted the divine appeal of Grand Basin. He converted the existing building into a temple and after some problems with the law he was allowed to proceed with the changes. Some artisans who were engaged in building Sockalingam Meenatchee Ammen Kovil in Port Louis helped in giving the temple the present shape. He went to India and brought back a huge Shivalingam, along with other deities, and had them consecrated in the sanctorum. It is the only temple in Mauritius where Bhairava (an avatar of Shiva) is consecrated inside a temple along with Shiva and his Family. He was the first to start the pilgrimage towards Grand Bassin following the consecration in 1866. The consecration was a huge festival where he donated land, cart with oxen and huge amount of money to the officiating priests (Chaturvedi) and others from Plaine des Papayes.
Others could not go save his servants because the labourers were not allowed to take leave for religious purposes. Through word of mouth all labourers stated their wish to participate. He used his contacts and requested for permission. A first delegation headed by himself and some other rich retired labourers including Jhummun Gosagne Napal accompanied him in 1895, following the route he had already made in previous years when only his close friends have been there. The first halt was in Port Louis Madras road where he possessed a house. From there the next resting place was Vacoas at Padarath Ojha's place and then the procession with jhal and dholak and small kanvars moved to Grand Bassin. This was the nth time that Shivaratri was celebrated at Triolet under the priestship of Pandit Sanjibonlal.
In the meantime, other folk tales were added to that place and it got the name of Paritalao. It was believed that fairies used to come and dance during the night there. So, it is Sanajibonlall also popularly known as Mousse Langlois ke Baba who put dreams of Ganga in the subconscious mind of Jhummun Gossagne and helped to make the festival look as it is celebrated today. Later Prime Minister Ramgoolam brought Ganga water from Gomukh and mixed it with the already pure water of Grand Bassin and renamed it Ganga talao.
In 1897 Shri Jhummon Giri Gosagne Napal, a ‘pujari’ (priest) - of the
Events
During the Maha Shivaratri most of the devotees leave their homes and start a journey to Grand Bassin on foot. It has been a tradition that volunteer people offer foods and drinks to the pilgrims (the devotees).
Mangal Mahadev - Shiva Statue
Mangal Mahadev is 33 m (108 ft)-tall statue of the Hindu god, Shiva, standing with his trident at the entrance of Ganga Talao. Inaugurated in 2007, it is the tallest statue in Mauritius and a faithful copy of the Shiva statue in Sursagar Lake in Vadodara, Gujarat in India.
Durga Mata Murti and Shiva Murti
The statues are of 33 m (108 ft) tall. Durga Pooja and Navaratri are celebrated very grandly with many Hindu Mauritians assembling near the statue for the grand celebrations.
Shiva Ratri is also celebrated very grandly and it is a national holiday. Very auspicious day to Hindus at Mauritius.
Gallery
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Statues of Durga and Shiva near the lake.
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Pilgrims
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Statues of deities
References
- ^ Bird's eye view. Retrieved on 5 May 2007
- ^ "shiv mandir mauritius - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
- ^ "World Heritage Centre - Laureates 2007". Archived from the original on January 20, 2008. Retrieved February 2, 2008.
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