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A KIND OF PILGRIMAGE TO A SACRED LAKE ...... Maha Shivaratri Festival, the culture and faith of the Hindu community. As we are a multi faith population in Mauritius, tomorrow Monday 7th March will be a religious celebration for the Hindus here. This religious celebration is called Maha Shivaratri, the most popular for the Hindus and it is an occasion for their great religious fervor and mass participation through their annual pilgrimage to the lake called Grand Bassin ( The Great Lake) here, which is a very deep volcanic lake, in a secluded area, in the heart of the forest to the south of the island. It is about 1800 feet above sea level and is surrounded by a natural scenery of breathtaking beauty. Since its creation, this lake has always been full of water. In 1972 sacred water from the Ganges was brought and poured into the lake by the Hindu priests, from then on,the Hindus here called it the Ganga Talao, (the lake of the Ganges). The annual pilgrimage to Grand Bassin has become a very important feature in the religious life of the Hindu community of Mauritius. The Festival itself is preceded by weeks of preparation and discipline, during the last week no meat and alcohol are consumed. Three days before the festival, devotees start on a pilgrimage to the Ganga Talao/ Grand Bassin. Hindu men, women and , all dressed in white, in thousands, from every nook and corner of the island, travel to the lake on foot, in a slow and never-ending procession. On their way, a journey of more than thirty miles, they carry on their shoulders, sometimes by two or four, structures made of bamboo and decorated with paper streamers and small multi-colored tinkling bells and photos of their Gods. These are called Kanwars, which are artistic masterpieces built mostly like domed temples, rippling with colors and flashing with the reflected lights of countless mirrors. In various places, tarpaulin shelters are set up for these pilgrims to rest by taking a break during their journey. Light meals and soft drinks are often offered at these stop-over points. The pilgrims gladly carry these Kanwars on their necks and shoulders symbolizing their loving surrender and obedience to their Divine will. When they reach the Ganga Talao, and after a short rest, they offer prayers to their Lord Shiva and to their favorite deities at the various shrines around the lake. After prayers, it is time for the pilgrims to start on their long journey back carrying their Kanwars and their lotas (small pots of brass) filled with the sacred water from the lake. On the day of the Maha Shivaratri itself, the sacred water is brought to the temple in their locality and poured on the Shiva Linga,(a sort of statue). It is estimated that about 250,000 people go on pilgrimage to Grand Bassin every year. To the visitor who comes by car or coach, the experience may be rather unnerving, with the slow-moving traffic, the jams, the thousands of men and women and the Kanwars of various shapes and sizes crowding the streets. Below are some photos of the different types of Kanwars carried by these pilgrims during their Maha Shivaratri festival and photos of their Shrines, their procession and of the Grand Bassin lake. Some of these Kanwars are so large and high that one pilgrim has to walk in front with a forked pole to lift up any low electric cable on the way. It is eventually very risky but they still do it. Grand Bassin is a touristic place with the beautiful sceneries of the forest, the mountains, the volcanic lake and these Hindu shrines. All year round tourists go to visit Grand Bassin which is also listed on the sightseeing tours. I hope this blog has given you more info about other celebrations and cultures on my country, Mauritius, Thank you for your read and views. Happy viewing. Sincerely, Lisa.          |
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Tom, hello. Thanks so much for your usual visit and your meaningful comments on my above blog. I thought it right to post this blog, at least to give the readers, an insight of different faith and celebrations in my country. Am glad for your appreciation Tom. Thank you again and enjoy your Sunday too. My kind regards, Lisa.
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Fossil hi, It's so great reading from you again on my blog. Thank you so much for your noticeable appreciation Fossil. Am glad my above blog has pleased you. I wanted to post such info for all the readers, to know about different faiths in my country and the kind of celebration as well. Thanks again Fossil. I wish you and your spouse and kids, a Happy Sunday. Kind regards, Lisa.
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3/6/2016 11:02 am |
Both the lake and the ceremony are colorful and beautiful. I was not aware of this holiday but as Adolpho said we have little tolerance for anything other than Christianity in the US. Thank you for sharing, Spiritwoman ^i^
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Adolpho, hi, Thanks for your visit and you comments which I do appreciate but as you know each religion has its own rite and belief and its own principles also. I am christian and Christians have their way to celebrate their religious feasts, may we say that Hindus have also to learn from us?. No, we shouldn't, cause each rite is different. Do you know that in Hinduism, there are lots of different sects?. Each sect has different rites, and different belief as well. No religion is perfect in the world. But Christianity is the most tolerant religion. For example, christian churches allow people from any religion to come into and pray, whereas many others do not allow Christians to enter their worshiping place. I am referring to my knowledge in my country, where all religions are represented here, they celebrate their own feasts freely and our Gov gives holidays for each religion's big feast as well. I really do not like to discuss religion neither politics but am hereby stating the true facts, specially in my country. Thank again for your opinion Adolpho. Hope reading from you again in the future. My kind wishes to you. Enjoy your day. Lisa.
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Spiritwoman hi dear, How glad I am reading you on my above blog. Thank you so much for your kind appreciation too, Spirit. The reason for my posting this blog is to inform the readers about different religious celebrations in my multi-culture and multi-faith country. But the most celebrated feasts here where all the population regardless their faith, are Chistmas and Easter. But I found it right to post on other religious feasts too. Thank you again Spirit. I wish you and all of yours a happy Sunday. My kind regards to you. Lisa.
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Adolpho, re-hi, Am so glad reading from you once more on here. And pleased that you have understood my above response to you. It's true that political statements influence the people, Maybe they are careful, regarding the actual happenings in many other countries affected by those dreadful events. Here, my island is not that big, so it's easy to control and our authorities are very vigilant concerning our coasts, our port and airport too. We have no border with any other country, we are just an island on its own in the middle of the ocean. So, neither by air nor by sea is easy to infiltrate our country. By thw ay, here each religion respects the other and we all live in harmony. That's in a way our luck!!. Thanks once more for your nice compliments Adolpho. I appreciate it. With my best wishes. Lisa.
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Carolyn my dear friend, hi, Happy reading your above comments Carolyn and very many thanks for your visit too. Am Glad you had the opportunities learning some Indian customs while you were there. I understand what you mean but there are times during their religious prayers, no other people are allowed in. Am sure of this, cause it does happen here too but we all respect it. And each is tolerant to the other. Thank you again for all Carolyn. It's my pleasure reading from you always. Have a beautiful day. My kind regards. Lisa.
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Hi again Tom, Am pleased reading from you again on here. We do have most if not all religions of the world here. Churches, Temples, Mosques, Pagodas, Synagogues, we also have a Jewish Museum which is in the vicinity of my area, and many other worshiping places. My country is said to be " A small world within the big one" !!. It's because we have all nationalities living here, from all continents of the world, regardless their faith and culture. Good that muslims won't be banned in your country. In each religion, there are good and bad people. We should live peacefully to the best we can and enjoy each day God grants us to live. Wishing you all my best, Tom. Lisa.
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Mary Ann, hello, How glad I am, reading your nice comments on this, thank you for appreciating it Mary Ann. Thanks again dear. Kind regards, Lisa.
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