In Honor of Lord Shiva

Walking 35 miles to the lake, then back

Called Maha Shivratee, it is one of the most important celebrations of the Hindu calendar.  It is a colorful, spiritual time that can involve walking up to 80 miles to and from the holy lake in the southern part of Mauritius.  Alternately called Grand Bassin or Ganga Talao, according to legend, the lake is connected by an underground river to the Ganges in India.  Dozens of thousands of pilgrims walk for days to reach the lake, collect some water, and return to their temples and towns all over the country. Many carry large, highly decorated floats (called kovils or kowels) with bright cloth, lights, and depictions of deities.  The pilgrims do this to honor Lord Shiva, one of the most important of the Hindu deities.  Sunday, March 10 is the Maha Shivratee holiday this year, and devotees will honor Lord Shiva by pouring their sacred lake water on his image at homes and temples.      

Carrying Kovils on the road to the holy lake

Homemade floats honoring deities

At the lake, Shiva's statue

David at a prayer stand at
sacred lake Ganga Talao

Lord Shiva statue at Ganga Talao