Hinduism in Mauritius

Hinduism in Mauritius

Hinduism originally came to Mauritius with Indians who worked as indentured servants of European settlers of the island.cite web |url= http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2003/4-6/18-25_mauritius.shtml|title= The Hindus of Mauritius|accessdate=2007-04-25 |date=2003|last=Malik|first=Rajiv|work=Hinduism Today|publisher=Himalayan Academy ] As of 2000, 48% of the country follows Hinduism.cite web |url= https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mp.html|title= Mauritius|accessdate=2007-04-25 |work= World Factbook|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency]

Hindu Temples in Mauritius

1. Port Louis - chokklingam meenakshi temple2. Shiv Shakti Temple

Major Hindu festivals

These first Hindus of Mauritius were a heterogeneous lot. They arrived in great waves from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the North of India and from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in the South. Others came from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Despite the disparity of their origins, they found themselves united in hardship, for life as an indentured servant was extremely difficult, humiliating and sometimes even cruel.

One of the biggest festivals on the island is Mahasivaratri, "Siva's Great Night." 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 Siva worship.

Other important Hindu festivals in Mauritius

1. Thai Pusam, honoring the South Indian God Muruga. Although it is officially a Tamil holiday, thousands of non-Tamils join in to carry kavadi (like kanwar).

2. Ganesha Chaturthi, a festival occurring on a public holiday assigned to the extensiveMarathi-speaking community, celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha and just as readilyattracts all the island's Hindus, since this God is the Patron of Harmony and is worshipedin all Hindu temples.

3. Diwali, "the Festival of Lights," also known as Dipavali.Divali is so popular it is proclaimed a national public holiday in Mauritius. Not only doesit cut across Hindu ethnic barriers, it crosses a few Christian ones as well. During thisspecial time, all temples and some churches light lamps with wicks dipped in oil, and truereligious solidarity is felt in an all-encompassing mood of cheerfulness and joy.

References

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