Thaipoosam Cavadee is a public holiday in Mauritius that takes place on the full moon of the Tamil calendar's 10th month, which occurs between January and February. Mauritius is the only African country where Hinduism is the majority religion, with Hindus accounting for more than half of the population. Thaipoosam Cavadee is a festival observed in Mauritius by the Tamil minority to express thanks and devotion to the Hindu goddess Parvati and deity Muruga for defeating the bad demon Soorapadman.

Every Hindu temple on the island commemorates the occasion. Flowers are carried through the streets, sacrifices are made, purifying baths are taken, and the cavadee dance is performed. To the beat of traditional music, the throng march along the streets to the temple. Penitents within the temple lay down their offerings to Lord Muruga and remove the hooks from their bodies, a sacrifice intended to purify the souls of worshipers.

Throughout the island, the event is observed at every Hindu temple. Flowers are carried along the streets, sacrifices are brought, cleansing baths are taken, and the traditional Cavadee dance is performed. Bright masses make their way along the streets to the temple to the beat of traditional music. Penitents within the temple lay down their sacrifices to Lord Muruga and remove the hooks from their bodies, a sacrifice meant to purify worshippers' souls. The flag is then lowered, signaling the conclusion of one of Mauritius' strangest but spiritual events.

Date: the full moon in the 10th month of the Tamil calendar, which falls between January and February.

Thimithi, or the Walk on Fire, is another iconic Tamil Nadu celebration in South India. It is an international Hindu festival that is also observed in other regions of the globe. In addition to India, Fiji, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, and other countries with strong south Indian populations commemorate this event. A high proportion of Hindus in Mauritius are Tamil. A ten-day period, similar to Easter in Mauritius, is observed during which believers fast, contemplate, and refrain from participating in any excesses.

Devotees participate in a ceremonial 'walk on fire' outside of the temple grounds at the end of the 10 days. A coal pit is lit, and devout Hindus walk barefoot across the embers to demonstrate their faith. They then bathe their burned feet with milk to relieve the discomfort. The performance is one of Mauritius' most popular cultural events.

A Hindu epic, Mahabharata. It is about the conflict between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. When the Pandavas lost everything, including Draupadi, in a gambling game. Draupadi was stripped by Duryodhana's younger brother, but she was saved by Krishna. After that, she made a pledge to wash her hair with Duryodhana's blood. Draupadi bathed her hair with Duryodhana's blood and combed it after the Mahabharata war concluded with the Pandavas' victory after thirteen years. To establish her virginity, Draupadi walked barefoot over flaming coals to seal the win. Thimithi is the name for this process.

Date: December or February

The Chinese community's harvest celebration is one of the most famous festivals in Mauritius and is very popular on the Mauritius islands. This extravagant ceremony, also known as the moon festival, honors the Chinese calendar's harvest season. The Mid Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival because of the numerous offerings made to the Moon goddess by traditional Chinese people throughout the fall months. Mooncakes take over St. Louis and other cities on the islands during this Mauritius holiday. The Chinese residents of Mauritius give prayers and offerings to the moon goddess, and the entire city comes alive with bright lights and dragon costumes. Other fascinating stories about mooncakes include one that claims they were intended to conceal the date of a planned revolt against the Mongols who governed China in medieval times. If you love Asian-oriented festivals, this occasion is definitely suitable for you when you come here in September.

Date: 10th to 13th September

Despite the fact that the Mauritian Chinese minority makes up just approximately 3% of the population, the importance of their culture is honored by the Spring Festival, which takes place on Chinese New Year, making it the only country outside of Asia to do so. The primary events take place in Port Louis' Chinatown neighborhood. The Chinese Lunar Year starts at sundown on the second New Moon after the winter solstice (21st December). This means that the New Year might start anytime between January 21st and February 21st.

Each of the twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac represents a year in the Chinese calendar. The year 2022 will be the Tiger's year. Tigers are brave and energetic individuals that enjoy a good challenge and adventure. People born in the year of the Tiger are strong and ambitious, bold and fearless, passionate and generous, and self-confident with a sense of justice and a dedication to aid others for the greater good, just like their titular zodiac animal. The Tiger is the third of the Chinese zodiac's 12 animal signs.

Date: in the months of January or February

Walking to the tomb of this revered priest of the Mauritius islands is an annual Mauritius ritual that is observed not just by Catholics but also by members of other groups. The charismatic missionary priest is credited with converting over 70,000 individuals to Christianity during his 23 years in Mauritius. Not only that but he is credited with a lot of miracles, which is why he appeals to people from all walks of life. On a visit to the islands in 1979, Pope John Paul II beatified Father Jacques, 115 years after his death.

Père Laval is a well-known person among Mauritanians of all faiths. Pilgrims go from as far as South Africa, the United Kingdom, and France to remember his death on September 9th. On top of the grave, notice the colorful plaster figure of the priest, which has been polished smooth by miracle-seeking travelers.

The shrine is rather quiet during other times of the year, however, the Friday prayers at 1 pm and 5 pm draw a decent attendance. A huge, contemporary church and a store with a permanent exhibition of Père Laval's robe, miter, letters, and photos are both located in the same building.

Date: 8th September

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi, is one of the most amazing celebrations to attend in Mauritius. In Mauritius, Ganesh Chaturthi is a vivid and colorful celebration that has been held since 1896 and is regarded as the most popular holiday of the year. Processions of devotees dance and sing as they weave their way through the streets of Mauritius towards the nearest sea or river during this festival. To the accompaniment of drums, bells, and cymbals, brightly colored clay idols of Lord Ganesh are carried in procession on tiny platforms. When the procession reaches the river, the clay effigies are immersed in it, where they slowly dissolve. Some devotees choose to do their own private immersion ceremony, while many others join in on the fun and festivities.

The effigies are thrown into the river because Lord Ganesh, like the other gods, was allotted to one of the universe's five elements. Water was his element. The clay figurines are designed to dissolve in water, enabling Ganesh to return to his natural habitat until the next Ganesh Chaturthi in Mauritius.

Date: 31st August – 1st September

The Ghoon festival is currently only observed by a tiny percentage of Mauritian Muslims, although it was formerly a time of tremendous grandeur and pleasure. The festival is observed during the first ten days of Muharram, the Islamic calendar's first month, to remember the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the son of Ali, and Fatima, the Prophet Muhammad's daughter (PBUH). In the year 680 A.D., he was slain in Kerbala, Iraq.

Muslims of the Shiite sect see Kerbala as a hallowed site and observe mourning in a unique fashion during the first ten days of Muharram: they gather to recite elegies, beat their chests, weep, and mimic the anguish of the Kerbala martyrs. Small groups of people gather on the bank of the Rivière des Lataniers, a tiny stream just outside Port-Louis and close to Plaine Verte as soon as the narrow crescent of the moon is visible. This location represents Kerbala. They execute traditional rites and give Fatiha's (prayers) here. They then proceed to their own Dargahs (shrines). The Lever des Ghounes, a magnificent parade, takes place on the tenth night (the hoisting of the Ghoons). The next day, the Casser des Ghounes (the breaking of the Ghoons) is celebrated, in which the parties return to the Vallée des Prêtres side of the Rivière des Lataniers.

Date: September

Lantern Festival, which takes place 15 days following the Chinese New Year, is one of Mauritius' most popular. It is celebrated by the Chinese community in Mauritius with considerable pomp and spectacle! During the celebration, you'll witness individuals dressed up in various costumes marching around the streets, as well as dragons dancing. It is without a doubt one of the most famous festivals in Mauritius. The Chinese community gathers and holds parades, which are full of inspiration. Chinese performers put on tai chi and dance displays as part of the Lantern Festival's joyous atmosphere. You can sense the pleasure in the air as you wander the streets. The Lantern Festival is known for its dancing dragons. It's thrilling to observe the fury of it all.

Each year, the Chinese New Year is celebrated on a different day. This is because of the differences between the lunar and solar calendars. On the day of the celebration, no scissors or knives are allowed, according to Chinese tradition. The dominating hue is red, which is a classic sign of happiness. The distribution of food to all those present guarantees that enough is available throughout the year.

Date: February

The Wellness Festival Mauritius is a three-day event that will inspire, educate, and empower you to discover your own path to improved wellness, happiness, health, and fulfillment. It will be hosted on the tropical island of Mauritius at Heritage Resorts' C Beach Club, in tranquil surroundings surrounded by turquoise oceans, a conserved nature reserve, and the reef on one side and other shared borders. The festival will feature six health aspects with over 60 workshops and inspirational speeches led by renowned wellness leaders and local professionals, resulting in a life-enhancing shift in your mind, body, and spirit.

Heritage Bel Ombre, a magnificent property nestled between the island's southernmost hills and the ocean, will host the Wellness Festival Mauritius. This fantastic playground is home to one of the island's most gorgeous lagoons and a 1,300-hectare reserve — everything you could want to recharge your batteries in the wild. The event is ideally positioned near some beautiful sights, which you will have the opportunity to see through the Nature Experiences.

Date: May

Mauritians celebrate Christmas in a vibrant tropical summertime environment, with temperatures ranging from 26 to 32 degrees Celsius, and even higher at times. This does not, however, prevent Santa Claus from appearing with an abundance of gifts for both children and adults. He packs enough snow with him to keep him cold and hydrated on his long journey across the tropics!

Most people adorn their Christmas trees on Christmas Eve, which range from genuine pine and spruce trees to artificial ones. The house is also adorned, particularly the living room. Christmas songs are commonly heard on the radio and in retail malls, although most Mauritanians do not sing them at home. In Mauritius' multi-ethnic community, Christmas Eve is observed in a variety of ways. While most people would prefer to enjoy the Christmas craziness in the cities' incredibly busy and highly lively nightlife, Catholics would attend mass, and other families would spend a regular evening with a traditional Mauritian Christmas dinner- generally a BBQ or something spectacular!

Date: 25th December