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In 1897, Shri Jhummon Giri Gosagne, a pujari (priest) of Triolet (Northern part of Mauritius) together with a pujari priest from Goodlands Sri Mohanparsad 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 from all parts of the island leave their homes and start a journey to Grand Bassin on foot despite the fact that cars and buses are also preferred means of transport.

 It has been a tradition that volunteer people offer foods and drinks to the pilgrims (the devotees). Devotees often built Kanwars which are then carried to the sacred lake. Maha Shivratree in Mauritius is, for many Hindu families, a favorable time of the year to meet up, march and offer prayers together at Ganga Talao.

On the very day of the festival, everyone goes to his/her local temple and offers the sacred water collected at the lake.The site is predominantly managed by the Mauritius Sanathan Dharma Temples Federation (MSDTF) and Hindu Maha Sabha but many other Hindu associations are also involved when the festival is closing in.The name Ganga is associated with the Ganges River in India and Talao means pool.

The Hindu regards this lake as sacred. A vestige of the original forest is still found along the lakeside.In the courtyard of a temple, at the entrance of the site, a metal statue honours this first pilgrim, the pandit Shri Jhummon Giri Gosagne. The story of this discovery is engraved at his feet and constitutes a valued heritage especially for the Hindu community in Mauritius.

Temple Timings:

Morning : 9:30 am to 1:30 am
Evening : 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm



Sagar Shiv Mandir is a Hindu temple sitting on the island of Goyave de Chine, Poste de Flacq, Mauritius. Sagar Shiv Mandir is on the eastern part of Mauritius. The temple was constructed in 2007 and it hosts a 108 feet height bronze coloured statue of Shiva.

It is about 1800 feet above sea level.It is considered the most sacred Hindu location in Mauritius as well as a major tourist place of interest.There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Gods including Hanuman, Lakshmi.

The  giant statue is known as Mangal Mahadev and it is the highest statue constructed in Mauritius Island. The Mangal Mahadev statue has been inaugurated in 2007. The statue looks so huge and forms part of one of the high monuments in the world. Maha Shivaratree is celebrated every year and the Hindu makes a pilgrimage from their home to the sacred lake.



Do's:

  • Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
  • Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
  • Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
  • Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
  • Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
  • Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
  • Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
  • Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
  • Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:


  • Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
  • Do not smoke at Temple.Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
  • Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
  • Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
  • Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
  • Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
  • Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
  • Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
  • Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
  • Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
  • Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.