Mauritius at the heart of great religion
Mauritius is at the heart of great religions/ Mauritius is a melting pot where several religions live together in peace. of fifteen annual holidays, nine are dedicated to religious festivals that are zealously celebrated.
10 festivals in Mauritius to experience its Vibrant culture
Festivals are significant in Mauritius, and the inhabitants take great pride in commemorating each one. They are aware that these celebrations honor their illustrious past, vibrant culture, and enduring customs. Here is a list of the most important celebrations observed in Mauritius:
_jfif.jpg)
thaipoosam cavadee
January/ February
celebrated by the Tamil community, this festival honors the god Murga. After 10 days of prayer and fasts, the worshippers go to their temple to pray, before going to the nearest river for the purification rite.
Maha Shrivaratri
February/ march
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the deity Shiva. The festival commemorates the wedding of Shiva and Parvati, and is also regarded to be the occasion that the deity performs his divine dance, called the Tandava.
CHINESE NEW YEAR
February/ march
This is a holiday opportunity to honor ancestors through religious ceremonies. Children receive small red envelopes with money inside, which is said to bring luck. And firecrackers are lit to ward off evil spirits.
Holi
8th march
On the coasts of Mauritius, this Indian festival of colours is very popular. On the eve of the Holi celebration in Mauritius, bonfires are lit to commemorate the mythology of Holika, and on the festival day, friends play the traditional game of colours across expansive fields while listening to music and imbibing in beverages. In this most vibrant of all Mauritius festivities, the more daring individuals could find themselves engaging in a fun fight utilising water balloons.
UGADI
march
This is the new year of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. The occasion is celebrated by the Telegu community. After cleaning the house, colorful power drawings decorate the entrance of homes to welcome New Year blessings.
EID-UL-FITR
July/august
Eid marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting for Muslims. Houses are cleaned the evening before the festival. It's the moment of reconciliation. In Mauritius, the dish of the day is briyani.
FATHER LAVAL PILGRIMAGE
9th September
on this day each year, thousands of pilgrims walk to Father Laval's tomb in Sainte Croix. This French missionary is revered on the island for his work with slaves. He was beatified in 1979.
GANESH CHATURTHI
September
This Hindu festival marks the birth of the god Ganesh, son of the god Shiva and the goddess Parvati. This god represents wisdom and knowledge. The idol of Ganesh is transported during the procession to a place of immersion (rivers or sea).
DIVALI
October/ November
For Hindus, Diwali commemorates the victory of King Rama over the demon Ravan, which represents the triumph of good evil. During this holiday, houses are illuminated to guide the goddess, Lakshmi, inside. A significant element of this festival is the sharing of sweets amongst all Mauritians, making it a nationwide celebration.