Maha Shivaratri preparations in Mauritius starts approximately one month before the Grand Night of Shiva. Shiva followers here fasts for some 30 days, or let’s say, as from the day that the construction of the “kanwars” started. Others start their observance for Lord Shiva some 10 days before the great night. While all these comprise a sacrifice, the main features of this festival constitute rigid fasting on the D-day for 24 hours, and staying awake for the whole night and meditating on Lord Shiva.

In Mauritius, several devotees, in their white clothing, from the various parts of the country set off for their pilgrimage, on foot, with their “Kanwars” towards the sacred lake, Ganga Talao, also known as, Grand Bassin, to collect the holy water – “Ganga Jal”, to be offered to the Shiva Linga on the D-day.

On the day of Maha Shivratree, the devotees offer their prayers at home, after purifying themselves, and then go to the nearby Shivalay or Mandir, to offer the sacred water and offerings (fruits, flowers, Bel Patra (Bilva Leaves) among others) in the form of adoration to Lord Shiva, in the morning. The devotees then observe strict spiritual discipline and worship the Lord at night, in the form of four successive Prahars, also known as the “Chaar Pahar Ki Pooja”.

Each Pahar/Prahar is made up of three hours of the night. During each pahar/prahar Shiva Abhishek is carried out (after the Kalash Sthaapna is done), that is, the Shiva Linga is bathed with Ganga Jal, cow’s milk, honey, ghee (clarified butter), turmeric water, dahi (curd), vibhuti (holy ashes), panchamrita (milk + sugar + ghee + honey + jaggery), pancha kavyam (milk, curd, ghee, cows urine and gobar), gulaab jal (rose water), and sandal paste. Then the Lord’s clothe is changed following which the aarti is performed and the different hymns and prayers of Maha Shivratri are chanted in praise of the Lord Shiva.

Ganga Talao Mauritius

After the fourth pahar/prahar’s prayers are completed, a hawan/yagya – a purifying ritual involving a fire ceremony, is carried out. It consists of offerings to the God of Fire (Agni) in the form of prayers, chanting and samagri. The Maha Shivratri is then concluded with a final aarti and Prasad offered to the devotees with which the devotees end their fast.

It is believed that anyone who prays fervently with pure and honest devotion to Lord Shiva on this day, is freed of all sins. We, hereby, seize this opportunity to wish all the devotees a pious Maha Shivratree and may all your wishes come true.

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