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With their origins rooted in three continents, it is not surprising that Mauritians celebrate a variety of festivals.
Maha Shivaratree
Maha Shivaratree is celebrated in honour of Lord Siva (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. (Public Holiday).
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 attribute miraculous healing powers to this holy man.
Chinese Spring Festival
The Chinese New Year's Day (January/February), which every year falls on a different day because of the adjustment of lunar days to solar days, is preceded by a through spring-cleaning of the home. No scissors or knives are used on the day. Red, symbolic of happiness, is the dominant color. Food is piled up to ensure abundance during the year, and the traditional wax cake is distributed to relatives and friends. Firecrackers re lit to ward off evil spirits. (Public Holiday)
Diwali
Diwali is the most jovial of all Hindu festivals. Celebrated in October/November it marks the victory of
Rama over Ravana and also commemorates Krishna's destruction of the demon
Narakasuram. Clay oil lamps are placed in front of every home turning the island into a fairyland of flickering lights. (Public Holiday)
Holi
This Hindu festival is as colorful as the numerous legends which inspire it. 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.
Cavadee
Cavadee is celebrated in January/February. Along with the five-walking and sword-climbing ceremonies. Cavadee is among the most awesome
Tamil events. Their bodies pierced with needles and their tongues and cheeks with skewers, devotees, trancelike and in penance, trek along bearing the 'Cavadee', a wooden arch covered with flowers with a pot of milk at each end of its base, to place it before the deity in the temple. At this point, despite the long, hot trek the milk should not be curdled. (Public Holiday)
Ougadi
Ougadi is the Telegu New Year. It is usually celebrated in March. (Public Holiday).
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the 4th day of the lunar month of August/September, as the birthday of
Ganesha, the God of wisdom and remover of all obstacles by Hindus of Marathi faith. (Public Holiday)
Id-El-Fitr
Id-El-Fitr is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadhan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, Prayers are offered at mosques during the day. (Public Holiday)
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