Mauritius being a cosmopolitan country with a rich cultural diversity, there is a public holiday for each of the seven communities.
Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated with great fervour on Friday 14 th . It is a ten-day Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Devotees bring offerings to the mandir (Hindu temple) and proceed with the idol immersion after a procession to the sea or the river.
On Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees wear traditional sarees and Indian wear. This pious day attracts thousands of visitors and the beaches turn into a festive place with chants, distribution of vegetarian food and cakes and traditional dances.
We will tell you how Lord Ganesha got his elephant head and why he holds a special place for Mauritians in this previous article.
Brought to you by AIM. Mauritius. September 2018.
