kovils , (meaning: residence of God)are the Tamil terms for a distinct style of Hindu temple with Dravidian architecture. Both the terms koyil are used interchangeably. In Tamil, kōvil is the word derived, according to the rules of Tamil grammar.
List Of kovils In Mauritius
BELOW ARE SOME OF THE KOVILS IN MAURITIUS:
Sri Shiv Subramanya Temple
Located on the Corps de Garde Mountain, in Port Louis, Sri Shiv Subramanya Temple (also known as Mountain Temple), is a Dravidian wonder constructed in the year 1907 by an Indian labourer who wanted to build a temple on the flanks of the Corps de Garde Mountain.
Nowadays, the temple is a prime place of worship for followers of Murugan, the God of War and several hindu celebrations are hosted at this location.
The most important and grandest is the Thaipoosam Cavadee festival, which is celebrated usually in the month of January and it originated from South of India.
During this festival, devotees climb hundreds of steps to reach this impressive temple on the mountains to the worship of Lord Murugan, making it a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus.
Shiv Shakti Mandir Temple
Shiv Shakti Mandir, is one of the most prominent temples located in the centre of the island along Vacoas-Phoenix border.
It was constructed in 1922 and is dedicated to the Destroyer, Lord Shiva, even though several other Gods are also worshipped in this temple.
Shiv Shakti Mandir is the first Hindu temple in the Indian Ocean region to acquire internationally-recognised ISO 9001 certification (since 2014). The Shiv Shakti Mandir Temple follows several efficient techniques focused towards customer satisfaction, crowd management, preservation of the environment through minimisation of pollution, amongst others.
The white colour of the temple provides a peaceful and soothing atmosphere, which makes it ideal for prayers and meditation, surrounded by the quietness and calmness of the temple.
Hare Krsna Iskcon Temple
Hare Krsna Iskcon Temple, is located in the village of Bon Accueil, in the Northeast side of the island. Iskon has countless followers across the world. The temple can be described as a magnificent piece of art, resonating with the spirit of the Lord Krishna.
The whole temple is adorned with paintings portraying the life of the famous God, and narratives say that each of these frames took around 6 months to complete.
There are several trees bearing fruits around the temple, and with the great number of tourists and devotees visiting this temple, there are few guest houses that provide accommodation for visitors. There is also a restaurant onsite that serves a variety of delicious vegetarian dishes.
Amma Tookay Kovil Temple
The Amma Tookay Kovil, located at Riche Bois in the South part of the island is a fascinating and sacred Tamil temple. The temple is dedicated to Amma Tookay, who is worshipped for prosperity and good health.
The history of this place goes back to when the indentured labourers coming mainly from India were working in sugarcane fields. They built this place of worship in the middle of a sugarcane field in order to relieve themselves after an exhausting day.
Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple
Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple, is one of Mauritius’ rare hidden gems, this stunning temple pays tribute to Lord Venkateswara (A form of Lord Vishnu) and is found in the village of La Laura-Malenga in the centre of the island.
The Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple, is a famous Hindu Temple, that was constructed in the year 1921 and is dedicated to the Creator of the Universe.
F. Maheswarnath Shiv Mandir Temple
The Maheswarnath Shiv Mandir is locally known as the “Grand Shivala Triolet” is one of the well-known temples located in the northern part of Mauritius. This is another magnificent Shiva temple in Mauritius for which the construction started in 1891 near a sugar factory, and later there were more buildings and structures added later to it.
Built-in the Bengal style of temple architecture, the grand edifice is a variation of the Pancha-Ratna or a five-flowered temple built on a platform. Another avatar of Lord Shiva – Lord Bhairava also resides in this complex.
Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen Kovil Temple
Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen Kovil (also known as Kayalasson Temple) is yet another Tamil temple in Mauritius which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Destroyer. It was built in 1854, in Sainte Croix, near Port Louis and it stands as the oldest Tamil temple of Mauritius and is also listed as a heritage site.
The temple’s building has an impressive architecture which showcases the impeccable Dravidian culture. It is still an important place of worship for the Tamil community of Mauritius. This fascinating temple was actually built to symbolize the human body, with different organs being represented by six stations and the lotus representing the head.
Sri Shiv Subramanya Temple
Located on the Corps de Garde Mountain, in Port Louis, Sri Shiv Subramanya Temple (also known as Mountain Temple), is a Dravidian wonder constructed in the year 1907 by an Indian labourer who wanted to build a temple on the flanks of the Corps de Garde Mountain.
Nowadays, the temple is a prime place of worship for followers of Murugan, the God of War and several hindu celebrations are hosted at this location.
The most important and grandest is the Thaipoosam Cavadee festival, which is celebrated usually in the month of January and it originated from South of India.
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
Even though there is a diversity of places to visit while on this paradise island, a visit to one of these temples should certainly be on your itinerary. The surroundings and the calmness of these temples is worth experiencing. Furthermore, it’s a great way of learning more about the hindu culture and traditions in Mauritius.
How many temples are there in Mauritius?
The island paradise in the Indian Ocean is known among holidaymakers. But what is little known is that it is home to over 300 Hindu temples, making Mauritius a land rich in Hinduism.