Major Hindu Festivals
One of the biggest Hindu festivals on the island is Maha Shivaratri ("Great Night of Shiva"). During this annual Hindu celebration, which takes place in the months of February and March, four to nine days of ceremony and fasting lead up to an all-night vigil of Shiva worship.
Other important Hindu festivals in Mauritius include:
- Thaipusam, honoring the South Indian god Muruga. Although it is officially a Tamil holiday, thousands of non-Tamils join in to carry kavadi.
- Ganesh Chaturthi, a festival occurring on a public holiday assigned to the extensive Marathi-speaking community, celebrates the birth of Ganesha and just as readily attracts all the island's Hindus, since this god is the patron of harmony and is worshiped in all Hindu temples.
- Diwali, "the Festival of Lights," also known as Dipavali. Diwali is so popular it is proclaimed a national public holiday in Mauritius. Not only does it cut across Hindu ethnic barriers, it crosses a few Christian ones as well.
- Ugadi/Gudi Padwa Hindu New Year
- Holi The Festival of Colors
- Makar Sankranti
Read more about this topic: Hinduism In Mauritius
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