Pere Laval Shrine

Pere Laval Shrine is a religious site in the north-west of Mauritius, one of many temples, mosques, churches, and shrines that reflect Mauritius' remarkable religious diversity.

Mauritius is home to a Hindu majority (52%), Muslims (17%), Christians (29%), and smaller communities of Buddhists and others. This religious plurality is one of the island's most distinctive characteristics — major Hindu, Muslim, and Christian festivals are all public holidays, and it is common to see temples, mosques, and churches within a few hundred metres of each other.

The Pere Laval Shrine is a place of pilgrimage and prayer dedicated to Father Jacques-Désiré Laval, a beloved missionary in Mauritius. It’s a peaceful and spiritual site attracting visitors from aroun

Hindu temples (kovils) are found across the island, from elaborate coastal shrines to hilltop sanctuaries. The Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin) — a crater lake at 1,800m elevation — is the site of the Maha Shivaratri pilgrimage, when over 300,000 devotees walk barefoot from across the island carrying water from the coast. It is one of the largest Hindu pilgrimages outside India.

Mosques in Mauritius tend to be found in urban centres and older trading communities; the Jummah Mosque in Port Louis is the largest and oldest on the island, dating to the 1850s. Catholic and Protestant churches are concentrated in former colonial towns.

Religious sites are generally welcoming to respectful visitors. Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees) when entering places of worship. Remove shoes before entering temples and mosques.