PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS, March 8, 2005: The whole Hindu community of Mauritius unites to celebrate Maha Sivaratri which is preceded by weeks of fasting and preparation. Pilgrims prepare for their devotions at Ganga Talao, the sacred lake in the highlands of Mauritius. Mauritius is dubbed as the crossroads of cultures; amidst peaceful coexistence, its fertile soil has generated the blooming of a multitude of cultures. It is the crucible where East and West meet together. The Maha Sivaratri, celebrated in honour of Siva, constitutes a landmark in the life of the Hindus. It galvanizes immense religious fervor and mass participation. Towns and villages all alike mobilize their energy to steer towards the sacred lake. Where politics has failed lamentably, religion can succeed: the annual pilgrimage cements the whole Hindu community into one unity as it transcends all barriers. The caste system finds no place under the dome of Ganga Talao, which embodies purity and divinity just like the Ganges River. The holy water gathered along the sacred lake is highly valued in every Hindu household.
Prior to the pilgrimage, weeks of preparation and discipline are needed and a period of fasting takes place. The pilgrims carry on their shoulders bamboo structures (kanwars) decorated with muslin paper, twinkling bells and countless mirrors. The construction of these kanwars constitutes an artistic feat coupled with patience. All activities come to a standstill on the island to make way for this annual pilgrimage. Along the arduous and winding road leading to Ganga Talao, trek an endless procession of people chanting religious hymns while cars and lorries equipped with loudspeakers ply to and fro blaring out devotional songs (bhajans). The enthralling atmosphere is filled with piety. Thousands of pilgrims converge piously on the sacred lake, all clad in white symbolizing purity and oneness. Mauritius is transformed for the occasion into a little India to the joy and admiration of local people and tourists. What impresses us most is the chain of solidarity by anonymous people and sociocultural organizations to offer hospitality to exhausted pilgrims throughout the island.
From the lofty summit of Ganga Talao, we stand mesmerized at such a breathtaking scene. The sacred lake veiled by the rising mist and monsoon rain takes on an air of mysticism and divinity. Thousands of men, women and children have weathered many a storm from every corner of the island to purify their souls and become one with God. It is a vision of transcendence and liberation. The Ganga Talao provides the elixir for life.
The Hindu community, from Coolie Ghat to Ganga Talao, has made a giant’s stride towards emancipation. They have struggled hard to preserve their cultural identity in spite of modernity grafted with Westernization. They have managed through hard labour and sacrifice to resist the onslaught of aggressive religious sects. The untouched Asian values they have treasured most have helped them to climb the social ladder. “Indianness” pervades their whole life from dawn to dusk and they show a legitimate pride in being Indian nowadays. Their ancestral culture is an asset to be handed down from one generation to another. This is the shining success of Indian diaspora. The descendants of indentured labourers have moved from mud-walled thatched-houses to palatial residences, from ox-cart to brand-new cars. The celebration of Maha Sivaratri reveals their deep-rooted attachment to Mother India.”Aum Namah Sivaya.”
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