The volunteers of the National Society have been on duty as first aiders for the pilgrims to the Ganga Talao as from Thursday 19 February 2009.

Under the supervision of Navin Mahadoo, some 20 volunteers will be on duty on a 24hr basis until 13hrs on Monday 23 February 2009. Many pilgrims have already started their pilgrimage from all over the island, and we expect a very large number as from Friday.

The Maha Shivratree Festival usually attracts some 400,000 to 500,000 persons from all over the island to the Ganga Talao - Grand Bassin. People go there to pray Lord Shiva, and they bring back holy water from the lake to pour it symbolically on the ‘ Shivling’.