Source: Deccan Herald

http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb262006/finearts1311172006224.asp

On February 26, 2006 the Deccan Herald reported, "Abha Sharma travels to Mauritius and is lured by chants of ‘Bam bam bhole,’ as she discovers that Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with equal fervour in this foreign land. When the Shiva temples in India echo with the chaste chants of “Om Namo Shivaih” and ardent devotees make a beeline at Shivlingas all over the country to offer their prayers on the occasion of Shivratri, the beautiful island of Mauritius too resounds with the devotional notes of “Bam Bam Bhole”. Thousands of worshippers prefer to walk all the distance to ‘Ganga Talao’ (Grand Bassin) to fetch the holy waters to offer to the Shivlingas in their homes. ‘Ganga Talao’ is considered as sacred as the Holy Ganges in India. Indians being the predominant population in Mauritius, all Indian festivals like Deepavali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid, Ugadi are celebrated with traditional gaiety and fervour, but Mahashivratri is perhaps the biggest of all. It is a public holiday in Mauritius."