Mangal Mahadev Statue | Bois Cheri

Information

Landmark: Mangal Mahadev Statue
City: Bois Cheri
Country: Mauritius
Continent: Africa

Mangal Mahadev Statue, Bois Cheri, Mauritius, Africa

The Mangal Mahadev Statue is a 33-meter (108 ft) tall bronze-colored representation of the Hindu deity Shiva, located at the entrance of the Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin) crater lake in the Savanne district. It is the tallest statue in Mauritius and stands as a significant religious monument for the island's Hindu population.

Visual Characteristics

The statue is constructed from reinforced concrete and finished with weather-resistant bronze-toned paint to withstand high-altitude humidity. It depicts Lord Shiva in a standing posture, holding a trishula (trident) and a damaru (drum), with a crescent moon in his hair and a serpent coiled around his neck. The monument is set upon a circular pedestal and is flanked by a large paved plaza designed to accommodate mass gatherings.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is situated on the B88 road (Grand Bassin Road) in the southern highlands, approximately 25 kilometers from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and 35 kilometers from Port Louis. Public bus transport is available from Curepipe via the 168 line to the nearby village of Bois Cheri, followed by a taxi or 3-kilometer walk. Extensive free asphalt parking is located directly adjacent to the statue for private vehicles and tour coaches.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Commissioned by the Mangal Mahadev Shakti Trinity Trust and sculpted by Indian artist Shri Matu Ram Verma, the statue was inaugurated in 2007. It is a faithful replica of the Shiva statue at Sursagar Lake in Vadodara, India. Geologically, the statue stands on the edge of a dormant volcanic crater within the island's central plateau, an area characterized by basaltic formations and indigenous highland forest.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can perform circumambulation (pradakshina) around the base of the statue and offer prayers at the auxiliary shrines. The site serves as the primary landmark for the over 400,000 pilgrims who arrive on foot during the Maha Shivaratri festival. Photography of the monument is permitted from the central plaza, though drone usage is regulated by local civil aviation laws.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The site features a large public restroom block and a visitor information center near the main parking area. There is consistent 5G cellular coverage throughout the plaza. Shaded areas are provided by the surrounding forest canopy and several small pavilions, though the immediate statue area is fully exposed to the sun. No permanent food vendors are permitted at the base of the statue to maintain the sanctity of the site.

Best Time to Visit

Optimal viewing for photography occurs in the early morning (07:00–09:00) when the eastern light illuminates the bronze finish of the statue and the atmospheric mist is at its lowest. The highland climate is cooler than the coast, often requiring light layers. Avoid visiting during the peak of the Maha Shivaratri festival unless participating in the pilgrimage, as road access is severely restricted by the police.

Facts & Legends

The statue is part of a "spiritual twin" pairing; in 2017, an identical 33-meter statue of the goddess Durga Mata was inaugurated just 100 meters away, making them one of the tallest divine pairs in the world. A specific tip for visitors is to maintain a firm grip on handheld items, as the resident macaque monkeys frequently congregate at the statue's base to intercept food and loose objects.