Grand Bassin is a holy lake for Mauritians of Hindu faith.
It is said that the water inside the lake communicates with the waters of the holy Ganges river of India. Once at the Grand Bassin, they make food sacrifices and fetch holy water from the lake. The participants are dressed in white, while carrying bamboo contraption on their shoulders as a sign of sacrifice.
The whole scene is reminiscent of the great rituals on the banks of the Holy Ganges in India. This is an ancient Hindu festival whose origin date is unknown.
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated over three or ten days based on the Hindu luni-solar calendar. Every lunar month, there is a Shivaratri (12 per year). The main festival is called Maha Shivaratri, or great Shivaratri, and this is on 13th night (waning moon) and 14th day of the month Phalguna (Magha). According to the Gregorian calendar, the day falls in either February or March.
It is said that the water inside the lake communicates with the waters of the holy Ganges river of India. Once at the Grand Bassin, they make food sacrifices and fetch holy water from the lake. The participants are dressed in white, while carrying bamboo contraption on their shoulders as a sign of sacrifice.
The whole scene is reminiscent of the great rituals on the banks of the Holy Ganges in India. This is an ancient Hindu festival whose origin date is unknown.
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated over three or ten days based on the Hindu luni-solar calendar. Every lunar month, there is a Shivaratri (12 per year). The main festival is called Maha Shivaratri, or great Shivaratri, and this is on 13th night (waning moon) and 14th day of the month Phalguna (Magha). According to the Gregorian calendar, the day falls in either February or March.
