Mauritius

Ganga Talao (commonly known as Grand Bassin) is a crater lake and home to many Hindu temples. These temples are dedicated to some of the Gods including Lord Hanuman, Goddess Ganga and Lord Ganesh. Mangal Mahadev - a 33 m statue of the Hindu God Shiva stands with his trident at the entrance.

During Maha Shivaratri, a festival celebrated annually in honor of Lord Shiva, pilgrims in Mauritius walk bare feet from their homes to the lake. It is a major festival in Hinduism, and this festival is solemn and marks a remembrance of "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting and meditating on ethics and virtues such as self-restraint, honesty, non-injury to others, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.Read more