One century of devotion at Ganga Talao — the foundations we inherited, the temples and rites we keep today, and the youth who will carry Sanatana Dharma forward.
Past
In 1898 devotees walked to the crater lake then called Grand Bassin. On 27 February 1925, Hindu Maha Sabha was founded in Port Louis — Teelucksing Gujadhur giving a headquarters in memory of his brother Fakeerasing — so that identity, scripture and pilgrimage could stand firm for the descendants of indenture.
At Baboo Teelucksing’s office, the Sabha was formed for the care of Fakeerahsing Hospice. Rules were explained in Hindi: a public building free of caste and creed. First president: Pt Ravishankar Heeralall.
Under President Akbar Gujadhur — with Teelucksing Gujadhur and Dhunputh Lallah in the Legislative Assembly — the pilgrimage became a public holiday. The Sabha and Ganga Talao have been “two wheels of the same vehicle” ever since.
From 1938 stewardship of Grand Bassin; the land lease under Sir Satcam Boolell; Mrs R.K. Boodhun’s gift of the first lakeside Shiv Mandir (1966); Ganga jal mixed in 1972 — and the lake took the name Ganga Talao.
Hindi Pracharini Sabha (1935), halls and roads, electricity for pilgrims, Sanskrit classes, Hanuman on Neel Parbat, Kashi Vishwanath expanded, Ganga Dwar — each decade added stone to faith under the Sabha’s care.
Present
Under President Nidesh Rajkoomar (2022–present), the Sabha keeps daily worship at the shore, welcomes Maha Shivratri pilgrims, and offers only the rites it can truly perform — Puja, Vivah and Aagrah-Shanti.
Future
The youth of the Hindu Maha Sabha already perform Hanuman puja and Shiv abhishek — so that Sanatana Dharma is not only remembered, but lived. The second century asks for the same courage as the first: teach, welcome, and keep the lake ready for those who will walk after us.
From the centennial magazine: HMS youth leading puja and abhishek, learning the rites that elders kept through indenture and independence. Their hands are the future of the shore.
Hindi, Sanskrit, Ramayana and Gita — the Sabha’s teaching mission continues so identity is not lost in a digital age. Academics →
Roads, water, shelters, accessibility and digital outreach (live-streamed pujas, WhatsApp) — infrastructure so faith can move safely for the next hundred years. Infrastructure →
Hindu Maha Sabha Association Internationale keeps Mauritian Hindu communities abroad tied to Ganga Talao and the calendar of the homeland. HMSAI →
From its humble beginnings in 1925 to its present stature, the Hindu Maha Sabha has remained unwavering in its mission to uphold Hindu religious, cultural and educational values. As it embarks on its second centennial, the Sabha continues to evolve — a guiding light for generations past, present and yet to come.
Centennial magazine · Achievements and milestones
