Religious Sight

The Grand Basin is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus outside India. This crater lake, located approximately 550 meters above sea level, is surrounded by colorful Hindu temples and deities. The history of the lake dates back to 1897, when a Hindu priest saw in a dream a lake associated with the sacred Ganges River in India. He searched for this lake and when he arrived at the Grand Basin, he recognized the place from his dream. News about the divine lake spread quickly and since then, thousands of pilgrims go to the lake every year during Maha Shivaratri. In 2007, a 33-meter statue of the god Shiva was unveiled on the shore, which remains one of the tallest Shiva statues in the world. The second 33-meter statue, which is dedicated to Durga Maa, is the only tallest statue of this Hindu goddess in the world. Among the temples surrounding the lake, the temple of Lord Hanuman stands out for its grace. It is located on a hill and there are 108 steps leading up to it, symbolizing the 108 names of the Lord in Sanskrit. The view from the top is stunning.