Mauritian Events and Festivals
Maha Shivratri
The festival of Maha Shivratri is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva, in the month of February. Following an all night vigil, Hindu devotees, clad in white, carry the "kanwar" - wooden arches covered with flowers- in pilgrimage to Grand Bassin, to fetch holy water from the lake. The whole scene is reminiscent of the great rituals on the banks of the Holy Ganges in India.
Diwali
The festival of lights- Diwali is celebrated in October/November. Diwali marks the victory of Rama over Ravana and also commemorates Krishna's destruction of the demon Narakasuran. Earthen oil lamps are placed in front of every home turning the island into a fairyland of flickering lights.
Cavadee Festival
Cavadee festival forms an important part of the Mauritian culture. The festival is a ceremony accompanied by strange tribal rituals, originating from an ancient Tamil legend. The festival is celebrated every year with full vigor and joy in the months of January/February. The main feature of the festival is the fire-walking and sword-climbing ceremony. On the occasion of Cavadee the devotees pierce their bodies with needles, tongue and cheeks with skewers, in penance and walk in procession to the temple bearing the "Cavadee", which is a wooden arch covered with flowers with a pot of milk at each end of its base.
Father Laval
In September people of all faiths flock to the shrine of Father Jacques Desire Laval in Ste Croix, Port Louis. You can almost catch a glimpse of Lourdes in the fervor of the great crowds who attributes miraculous healing powers to Father Laval.
Id-EI-Fitr
Id is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadhan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. Prayers are offered at mosques during the day.
Holi
The Hindu festival of colors - Holi is celebrated with many colors. Essentially, it is a festival of revelry when men and women enjoy themselves by squirting colored water and powder on one another. It is a time for rejoicing and exchanging greetings.
Ougadi
Ougadi or the Telegu New Year is celebrated in the month of March. Ganesh Charturthi The birthday of Ganesha, the God of wisdom and remover of all obstacles is celebrated as Ganesh Chaturthi, just like India.
