# Kashinath Mandir

> Kashinath Mandir, also known as Sagar Shiv Mandir or the swimming temple, is a white Hindu temple on a small island near Poste de Flacq.

Kashinath Mandir, also widely known as Sagar Shiv Mandir, is called the swimming temple. It was built on the small island of Île aux Goyaviers, close to the village of Poste de Flacq. When it was built, the island could only be reached by a small dike, and you could walk to the temple only at low tide. At high tide the whole dike was under water, and the house of the Hindu deities seemed to stand in the middle of the ocean. That is why it is called the swimming temple. There is still water around the island, but a fixed road leads to the temple, so worshippers can reach the deities of the Hindu religion at any time. On the old part of the dike you can still see the place where the cremation ceremonies of deceased Hindus were held.

![The temple on its island near Poste de Flacq](https://www.mauritius-guide.net/photos/commons/kashinath-mandir.jpg "Photo: Belias · CC BY-SA 3.0 DE · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Temple-in-the-sea-mauritius.jpg · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/")

Kashinath Mandir itself is a white work of art. Inside a canopied pavilion there are many colourful figures and statues of Hindu goddesses. Every day you can see women in glamorous saris making offerings or praying in silence. The surroundings of the temple are completely peaceful, with clear water full of small, colourful fish. In the distance there are beautiful lagoons around the island, with very green mangroves.

The temple can be visited every day from sunrise to sunset. Please do not dress too casually, and take off your shoes if you are asked to.

Source: https://www.mauritius-guide.net/kashinath-mandir/