News Reports
MAURITIUS, February 11, 2007: Some 400,000 pilgrims (out of a total island population of 1.2 million–a third of the country!) are expected to turn up at Grand Bassin this year for Maha Sivaratri which is to be celebrated on February 16. Volunteers are pulling together to set up facilities to welcome pilgrims in different parts of the island. Maha Sivaratri is the most popular festival for Hindus in the island. It is the time when man communicates with God and asks for blessings. During the pilgrimage, water is brought from Ganga Talao, the sacred lake, to be later poured on the Sivalingam on Friday. Minister Anil Baichoo, Minister of the Environment and also chairman of the Task Force Committee for the Maha Sivaratri celebration had been on a site visit on Wednesday at Grand Bassin and said he is satisfied with the way things have been organized, namely the setting up of tents to house pilgrims, to serve food, security measures, hygiene, parking facilities and additional baths.
Regarding activities at Ganga Talao in view of Maha Sivaratri, the Mauritius Sanatana Dharma Temple Federation is organizing an official ceremony on Tuesday, February 13, when Prime Minister Navind Ramgoolam and other dignitaries will be present. A Rudra Maha Yajna is being organized today and tomorrow at the lake officiated by Acharya Saklani. A cultural troupe from India will entertain the public on the 13th through the 16th. The Voice of Hindu and Human Service Trust will take care of free distribution of food and drinks to all pilgrims from the 11th to the 16th.
However, pilgrims will not be able to offer prayers at the feet of the 108-foot giant Siva murthi standing at the entrance of the lake. The consecration scheduled for the 11th and 12th of February has been postponed for another date, following opinions from various Hindu priests explaining the dates not to be astrologically propitious for a proper consecration. It is the second tallest Hindu murthi in the world. The murthi took 21 months to be constructed at the cost of US$341,500. The concrete statue is being copper plated and requires a lighting rod on top.