Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Johanne Prosper
Published on 2024-03-04 10:00:18
The Hindu Maha Sabha kicks off with Pravind Jugnauth as guest of honor tonight
As every year, many Hindus in Mauritius will begin the annual pilgrimage to the sacred lake of Grand-Bassin for Maha Shivaratri. The faithful from the north of the country are the first on the roads, most dressed in white, singing the praises of the god Shiva throughout the journey. This festival is the most important in the Hindu calendar. It holds significant spiritual and religious meaning and requires substantial resources each year for infrastructure, water and electricity facilities, cleaning, and pilgrim security.
After the passage of Belal and Eleanor, rising waters are a source of concern, and firefighters pump large quantities of water daily in preparation for any eventuality. With the changing climate, inclement weather could pose a challenge, but the Task Force led by Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth is closely monitoring the situation. The Prime Minister will kick off the official celebrations tonight at 6 pm at the Kashi Vishwanath Mandir upon the invitation of the Hindu Maha Sabha.
The following night, on March 4, he will be the guest of honor at the Hindu House at Somnath Mandir in Grand-Bassin. The Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation (MSDTF) will welcome him on March 5 at the Divine Museum. On March 7, it will be the turn of the Human Service Trust. The Prime Minister will also embark, as he does every year, on the long walk to the sacred lake from his residence on Angus Road in Vacoas.
A call for caution and respect for pilgrims
The celebrations began last Sunday with a Rudra Maha Yaj organized by the MSDTF. The Hindu Maha Sabha also organized its first Shiv Abhishek in the afternoon. Voice of Hindu will start its activities at Ganga Talao this afternoon with a religious ceremony from 11 am to noon at the statue of Mangal Mahadev. A call is also made for pilgrims not to block the roads, to wear fluorescent clothing, follow police and weather instructions, and avoid handling high-tension cables from CEB and Metro Express.
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated every year on the fourteenth day of the lunar month, Phalguna or Magha. It is a time for fasting, meditation, introspection, and an inner journey to attain moksha (ultimate liberation). Invoking the god Shiva brings peace and harmony and divine grace. Carrying kanwars adorned with flowers, bells, small mirrors, and representations of Shiva and other Hindu deities, devotees upon reaching Grand-Bassin offer prayers on the banks of the sacred lake and collect sacred water to bring home for the Great Night of Shiva (Char Pahar Ke Puja).
Several blessings
On the day of the festival, devotees visit their local shivala and offer items like bel leaves, milk, fruits, and perform rituals at the shivlingam (symbol of Shiva). During the Great Night of Shiva, devotees recite mantras during the four phases of the night on the shivlingam to appease Shiva’s great wrath. The recitation of Vedic verses, the Maha Mrityu Mantra, creates divine vibrations with the power to heal. This is also essential for liberation from the cycle of death and reincarnation.
During the Great Night of Shiva, devotees receive several blessings. Shiva has a force of creation and destruction. During this night, he performs the cosmic dance to ward off evil spirits. Through prayers, offerings of milk, sacred water, sugar, bel leaves, and madar, the devotee undergoes inner transformation. Ignorance is dispelled, and wisdom is embraced.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
