- Ganga Talao
Infobox lake
lake_name = Ganga Talao
image_lake =
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Mauritius
coords = coord|20|25|05|S|57|29|31|E|type:waterbody_region:MU|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = Mauritius
length =
width =
area =
depth =
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = convert|1800|ft|abbr=on|lk=on
islands =
cities =Ganga Talao or Grand Bassin is a
lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district ofSavanne , deep in the heart ofMauritius . It is about 1800 feet above sea level.It is considered the most sacred
Hindu place in Mauritius [ [http://www.nationsonline.org/album/Mauritius/slides/Grand%20Bassin.html Bird's eye view] . Retrieved on5 May ,2007 ] ] [In 1998 it was declared a "sacred lake". In 1972, some holy water from the Ganges River was mixed establishing a symbolic link with the sacred Indian River and the lake was renamed Ganga Talao. [http://whc.unesco.org/en/349/] [http://www.edwebproject.org/mauritius/talao.html] ,]There is a temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva and other Gods includingHanuman ,Lakshmi , and others along the Grand Bassin. DuringShivaratri , many pilgrims in Mauritius walk bare feet from their homes to the lake.Events
Origins of the Maha Shivratri - In 1897 Shri Jhummon Giri Gosagne, a ‘pujari’ (priest) of Terre Rouge saw in a dream the water of the lake of Grand Bassin springing from the ‘Jahnvi’, thus forming part of Ganga. The news of the dream spread rapidly and created quite a stir in the Hindu community. The following year, pilgrims trekked to Grand Bassin to collect its water to offer to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri. The lake was then known as the ‘Pari Talao’,
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)".
Shiva Statue
The statue is 108 feet. It was inaugurated in 2007 and the "Sthapan" was done during the Maha Shivratri period of 2008. It is also the highest known statue in Mauritius.
References
Official Website :- [http://www.Gangatalao.org - www.gangatalao.org]
The website contains: Picture galleries, info on Lord Shiva, info on Shiv Lingams, Prayers, Ebooks, A discussion Forum, A guestbook and polls.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
