Pilgrimage to Grand Bassin in preparation for the festival of Maha Shivratri (follow-up post is here - Maha Shivratri 2011).
Last Sunday, we set out at 6.30 am, knowing that the roads will get clogged up as most people will take advantage of the week-end. & it was at La Marie/Henrietta that we encountered the first traffic jam. Fortunately, it was only up to this junction.
Beyond that, the traffic was fluid, mainly because most of the pilgrims were going towards Grand Bassin & the few on their way home weren’t obstructing the road.
These photos don’t really show it, but there was a massive number of pilgrims on the roads with their kanwars…
Pretty soon, we reached Ganga Talao, where we were greeted by the gigantic effigy of Shiv.
More pilgrims were seen braving the heavy rain…
… inspired by the towering figure of Mangal Mahadev.
The first view of Pari Talao.
The crowd was huge!
Tired pilgrims were stationed near the Mauritiuseswarnath Shiv Jyotir Lingum Mandir.
These panoramas show just how crowded the place was…
Lake – end to end.
Near the Mauritiuseswarnath temple.
The other side of the lake.
Devotees offering prayers to Ganga Talao.
& then pour the sacred water at one of the two mandirs.
No pilgrimage can be complete without the ascension of the hill.
It’s only from above that you grasp just how tall this statue is…
Breathtaking view.
Equally awe-inspiring were these beautifully crafted kanwars…
While I do resent the lack of accommodation for the pilgrims (some were sleeping on the ground near the upper temple), everyone was duly satisfied by the food & refreshments provided freely by benevolent organisations… including the UOM SU.
Just before I left the place, I once again visited the 108-foot Mangal Mahadev statue.
A truly remarkable structure. I hope they do not go ahead with whatever plans they had of building a similar statue next it. The Mangal Mahadev is unique & should remain so…
… looking over the incessant flow of pilgrims converging towards Ganga Talao. A beacon of hope for tired legs.
Related:
- Island Crisis - Maha Shivaratri Celebration In Mauritius – Grand Bassin
- Yadhav - Journey To The Heart Of Maha Shivaratri In Mauritius
- Vidhish - A (bus) trip to GBassin
- Hysteria Productions - Maha Shivratri - a peaceful walk [YouTube]
- Mauritius Photography - Grand Bassin photos in Mauritius
12 comments
Great pics :D
Since I am not celebrating this year, I really loved how you depicted the event at Ganga Talao. Thanks :D
Awesome. Where were you when taking the picture of Mangal Mahadev from above?
Really beautiful pictures! I didn't see the effigy of Shiva because it was too foggy and dark. Blog post coming tonight! ;)
@Chaya @Yadhav
Thanks. :)
@Amilcar
From the hill. :)
It's on the left of the panorama.
amazing pics mannn.... well, i went there the same day as yours but left home at 00:30 am and reached there at 1.30 am. well, the traffic was really fluid... after 1 hr prayer, left there and returned home at 4 am...had to pass though Bios-Cheri...Brittanica..etc... Well, ur pics are really high quality! Keep it up!
Magnifique reportage qui permet de bien saisir l importance de cette fete pour bnos compatriotes de foi Hindou...Beaucoup de couleur, de ferveur, cela fait vibrer un pays..meme si on se dit que pendant plusieurs jours, les postes restent vacants...par l absence des dévots...sans parler des encombrements des routes...mais bon ce n est que pour qqs jrs.. signé Alsace du group Martian spoken here...
Awesome pics. Mo pan amen bon camera kan mone aler acoz ti al marcher asoir. Pan resi tir photo :/
@Nirvan
Thanks! :)
@Alsace
Merçi pour le commentaire. C'est un plaisir de faire partager la richesse de la culture Mauricienne. :)
@Avish
Thanks. Prochain fois, mo pou alle asoir & va essaye tire impé photos... ;)
Mo mama p envi cokin to bane photos Grand Bassin et faire developer :P
Chaya
Ah bon? Mo mem mo pas trop satisfait ar ban photos la parski ti nuageux... :(
Yeah. Honestly. I was showing her the pics during the day, both for Ganga Talao and Maheshwarnath Mandir. She liked them all, and was asking if it were possible to have them printed.
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