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Since 1835, many Indians have settled down in Mauritius and made it their home. According to the 2011 census, the Hindu community forms a significant percentage of the population of this island country. With almost 48% of the population being Hindu, Mauritius’s religion is predominantly Hinduism. So for Hindus religion, Mauritius is more than its clear beaches, beach adventures, and spellbinding locales. Every year several tourists visit Mauritius to experience the opulence of Mauritius temples.
The Most Famous Mauritius Temples
- Ganga Talao Temple
- Maheswarnath Shiv Temple
- Sagar Shiv Temple
- Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple
- Shiv Shakti Temple
- Sri Siva Subramanya Temple
- Pandurang Kshetra Temple
- Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen Kovil
- Hare Krsna Iskcon Temple
- Amma Tookay Kovil Temple
- Hari Hara Devasthanam Temple
Let us explore the importance of these Mauritius Hindu temples and why they are a must on your next holiday itinerary.
1.Ganga Talao Temple or Grand Bassin Temple
Ganga Talao, also called Grand Bassin, is a crater lake situated in the south of Mauritius in the district of Savanne, about 550 meters above sea level. The sacred lake is surrounded by temples and statues of Gods and Goddesses, including an enormous statue of Goddess Durga, a 33 meters high statue of God Shiva, and a statue of a Jain god. Ganga Talao Temple is a complex of many temples.
A Hindu priest dreamt that the water of the Grand Bassin Lake forms a part of the river Ganges. The lake was earlier known as the Pari Talao. However, in 1972 it was renamed Ganga Talao after its water was mixed with the holy water of the river Ganges as a symbolic representation.
Since Hinduism is the dominant Mauritius religion, Maha Shivaratri is the most significant religious festival in the island country. Consequently, Ganga Talao is one of the most important Mauritius temples. During the Maha Shivaratri celebrations, Hindu devotees around Mauritius walk significant distances to the lake to honour Lord Shiva.
Location: District Savanne, Mauritius
Timings: 5 a.m. – 6 p.m.
2.Maheswarnath Shiv Temple
Maheswarnath Shiv Temple is one of the largest Mauritius temples located in Triolet. This temple is also devoted to Lord Shiva and is locally called the ‘Grand Shivala Triolet’. It is the most revered Mauritius Hindu temple with more than 130 years of legacy.
Since the founder of this temple hailed from Calcutta, it boasts a Bengal-style temple architecture. The layout of the temple is enchanting. The edifice is a variation of the Pancha-Ratna or a five-flowered temple built on a platform.
The different temples in the complex are devoted to Lord Bhairava (another avatar of Lord Shiva), Goddess Laxmi, Lord Nataraja, Lord Hanuman, Lord Jagannath, Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Durga, and Goddess Kali. A smaller temple in the centre of the temple complex houses a smaller lingam from Varanasi, India. Therefore, it is also referred to as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The Maheswarnath Shiv Mandir is an important Tamil temple.
Location: Triolet, Pamplemousses, Mauritius
Timings: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
3.Sagar Shiv Temple
It is a magnificent Mauritius Hindu temple on the island of Goyave de Chine. This temple was established by the Ghunowa family and renovated in 2007. Sagar Shiv Temple, surrounded by the Indian Ocean on all sides, is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. The temple boasts a 108 feet tall bronze statue of Lord Shiva known as Mangal Mahadev.
Location: Poste de Flacq, Mauritius
Timings: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
4.Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple
The temple is located at the foot of Pieter Both Peak in the village of La Laura-Malenga. It is one of the most important Mauritius temples devoted to Lord Venkateshwara, considered to be the creator of the universe. Authentic south Indian religious rituals and practices are followed in Shri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple. The temple houses Lord Venkatesh’s enormous statue embellished with gold, rubies, emeralds, and other precious jewels. The temple and its idols are a perfect example of perfect south Indian craftsmanship.
Location: La Laura-Malenga, Mauritius
Timings: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
5.Shiv Shakti Temple
Shiv Shakti Mandir, constructed in 1922, is located in the centre of Mauritius along the Vacoas-Phoenix border. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. The temple is white, which gives it a certain quiet and calm. Shiv Shakti Temple is the first Hindu temple to be internationally recognized with an ISO 9001 certification. Apart from religion and culture, the Shiv Shakti Temple also focuses on many crucial aspects, including crowd management, minimization of pollution, and preservation of the environment.
Location: Vacoas-Phoenix, Mauritius
Timings: 5 a.m. – 7 p.m.
6.Sri Siva Subramanya Temple
Sri Siva Subramanya Temple is also known as The Mountain Temple. An Indian labourer dreamed of building a Mauritius Hindu temple on the Corps de Garde mountain flanks. This Dravidian piece of architecture was constructed in the year 1907. Hundreds of steps lead to the colourful temple on the Corps de Garde Mountain. Sri Siva Subramanya Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the God of War. The temple is an important pilgrimage site for the South Indian community, especially during the Thaipoosam Cavadee Festival, which is celebrated in January and February.
Location: Corps de Garde mountains, Moka Range
Timings: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
7.Pandurang Kshetra Temple
This temple is located in Cascavelle and is devoted to Lord Ganesha, the elephant god. Pandurang Kshetra Temple was constructed in 1902 by labourers from Maharashtra, India. The temple is known for its three domes, and a part of it is made of carved volcanic rock from the vicinity.
Location: Cascavelle, Mauritius
Timings: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
8.Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen Kovil
Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen Kovil, known as Kayalasson Temple, is one of the most colourful temples in Mauritius, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the oldest Tamil temple of Mauritius, situated in Sainte Croix. It is listed as a world heritage site.
Tamil traders built this temple in 1854 after a severe cholera epidemic hit the island. The temple has impressive Dravidian architecture. It was built to symbolize the human body, so devotees respect the temple like their own bodies.
This temple is significant during the Tamil festival of Thaipoosam Cavadee in January and February.
Location: Port Louis, Mauritius
Timings: 5 a.m. – 7 p.m.
9.Hare Krsna ISKCON Temple
Hare Krsna ISKCON Temple is located in Bon Accueil. The temple is adorned with paintings portraying the life of Lord Krishna and his sayings. The temple is a magnificent work of architecture infused with the spirit of ISKCON.
Location: Bon Accueil, Mauritius
Timings: 5 a.m. – 8 p.m.
10.Amma Tookay Kovil Temple
The Amma Tookay Kovil Temple is located in the Southern part of Mauritius. The temple is devoted to Amma Tookay, worshipped for prosperity and good health. Sugar cane fields around the temple enhance the beauty of this place. Several other Hindu gods, including Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Lord Muruga, Goddess Durga, and Lord Hanuman, are also worshipped here.
Location: Riche Bois, Mauritius
Timings: 5 a.m. – 6 p.m.
11.Hari Hara Devasthanam Temple
It is a new temple that was consecrated in 2018. It has a 108 meters tall statue of Lord Venkateswara.
Location: 16eme Mille, Forest-Side, Mauritius
Timings: 5 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Though Hinduism is the dominant Mauritius religion, it is a secular nation. Therefore, Mauritius is the place to be if you are a devout Hindu wanting to celebrate your faith or someone only looking to visit religious sites without any hindrances.
If you plan to visit Mauritius on your next trip, check out the tailor-made Mauritius tour packages on Thomas Cook for a truly enriching experience.
FAQs
Which Hindu festivals are celebrated in Mauritius?
Almost all major Hindu festivals, including Diwali, Ganesha Chaturthi, Holi, Makar Sankranti and Thaipoosam Cavadee are celebrated in Mauritius as Hinduism is the dominant Mauritius religion. These festivals play a crucial role in community building in the country.
Why does Mauritius have so many Hindu temples?
Most of the labourers brought to Mauritius to work when it was a French colony were Hindus. Later these immigrants settled there, making Hinduism the dominant Mauritius religion. Therefore, these temples were necessary so Hindus could continue practising their customs and traditions.
When was slavery abolished in Mauritius?
Slavery was abolished on the islands of Mauritius under the rule of the British in 1835
Is any Hindu caste system followed in Mauritius?
Since the Hindu community in Mauritius traces its roots as labourers brought to work on the plantations, caste systems never propagated, and the community remains united