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Mauritius is a country with abundance of religious and non religious festivals. Some of the festivals with religious origins but have become national event. Mauritians are very devouted people and the festivals are very often celebrated with religious zeal and devotion. Following is the list of some of the most significant festivals in Mauritius; |
1: Maha Shivaratree
The festival is also called 'the great night of Shiva' and is celebrated by a pilgrimage to "Grand Bassin", a natural lake on the central plateau. Generally held in February, the pilgrims dressed in white proceed to Grand Bassin carrying bamboo contraption on their shoulders as a sign of sacrifice.
2: Cavadee
This Tamil ritual is named after a wooden yoke decorated with flowers and palm leaves and with a pot of milk suspended from each end, which a devotee fulfilling a vow carries across his shoulders in procession to his temple. There it is placed before the deity when, despite the long, hot ordeal, the milk should not be curdled. The Cavadee procession, while colourful and spectacular, is awe-inspiring because of the penance undergone by the participants who walk with their bodies pierced with needles, hooks hanging from their flesh and skewers threaded through their tongues and cheeks.
3: Divali
This festival is celebrated by Hindus and Tamilians as the Festival of Lights, in which clay oil lamps and paper lanterns with candles in them are placed in front of houses. Hills and valleys sparkle in the night as lights burn to celebrate the victory of Rama over Ravana, and Krishna’s destruction of the demon Narakasuran; the victory of good over evil.
4: Holi
Holi is an Indian festival, where the celebrants splash each other with colors, sing and dance around happily.
5: Father Laval Day
The birthday of blessed Father Jacques Désiré Laval is celebrated on September 9th, as people of all communities walk to his shrine at Sainte Croix. A priest of French origin in the 18th century, Jacques Désiré Laval became the protector of the slaves' community and has become the symbol of compassion and love.
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6: Chinese Spring Festivals The Chinese New Year's Day or the Spring Festival is the most important festival for the Sino-Mauritian community. |
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This festival is preceded by a thorough cleaning of the home and is characterized by the traditional sharing of wax cakes amongst relatives and friends. On that day firecrackers are lit to chase evil spirits. Special celebrations are held on that day in Port Louis in China town with Chinese Dragons and lion dances.
7: Eid-Ul-Fitr
Eid-ul-fitr is a festival celebrated at the end of the holy month of fasting, Ramadan. All the Muslims celebrate this day with prayers at the mosques where food and cakes are shared. These are also shared with neighbors, friends and the poor.
8: Christian's festivals
Mauritius has a big Christian community, mostly of Catholic faith. As such, most Christian celebration like Easter and Christmas are celebrated here with some of the same tradition as in Europe. During Easter, you will find the traditional Easter chocolate eggs on sale everywhere on the island. For Christmas, the living room is decorated with a Christmas tree and gifts are offered to the children.
9: Firewalking
Teemeedee, or firewalking can be witnessed between October and March at the Tamil temple in Terre Rouge and at other temples in predominantly Tamil areas. Worshippers walk over beds of red-hot embers, which represent the outstretched sari of Draupadee. They prepare for the ordeal by fasting, a ritual bath and a blessing before walking unscathed on the glowing embers to the accompaniment of chants from supporters.
10: Ougadi
This is the celebration of Telugu New Year. The New Year begins with worship in the temples and distributing sweets to friends and relatives.
11: Varusha Pirappu
This is a celebration of the Tamil New Year. There are sixty years in the Tamil calendar and the New Year is celebrated in Mid April every year.
Source: www.mauritius.voyaz.com
