Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin) - Mauritius

Ganga Talao (commonly known as Grand Bassin in Mauritius) is a crater lake, about 550 m above sea level, located in the mountainous Southwest district of Savanne.

This sacred site is home to a temple and several shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu gods. Visitors come here to pray, meditate, admire the peaceful scenery, or even play with the local monkeys.

The lake of Ganga Talao is thought to be around 18 m deep and is teeming with a healthy population of fish and eels – no doubt due to the leftover offerings they receive from Hindu pilgrims. However, it is strictly forbidden to fish here due to the sacred nature of the Ganga Talao lake.

History of Ganga Talao

In local folklore, the Ganga Talao lake’s history as a pilgrimage site goes back to 1887, when a Triolet ‘pujari’, or priest, had a dream in which he saw the lake’s water springing from the river Jahnavi, another name for the goddess Ganga.

News of this vision spread rapidly throughout the Hindu community in Mauritius, and when the priest subsequently visited the site with other people he found it looked exactly as it had in his dream.

Since then, thousands of Hindu pilgrims walk to the site every year during Maha Shivaratri, supported by locals offering food and encouragement along the way.

Mangal Mahadev: The Majestic Shiva Statue

During your visit of this sacred site, you will inevitably be awestruck by the gigantic Mangal Mahadev - statue of Lord Shiva, the Destroyer.

The statue is 33m (108 ft) high and is the highest known statue in Mauritius. It was completed in 2007 and the "Sthapan" (the ritual) was done during the 2008 Maha Shivratri festival.

Plan Your Visit

• Facilities: Ample parking & toilet facilities available.
• Entry: Free (donations for temple maintenance are welcome).
• Etiquette: Remove your shoes before entering any temple.
• Nearby Attractions: Bois Chéri Tea Plantation, scenic hiking trails in the Southwest region.

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Sightseeing Tours & Day Packages to Ganga Talao

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