Dhanteras in Mauritius: Rituals That Open the Diwali Season
Religious guide Acharya Supal Mishra explains the prayers, lamps and offerings that mark Dhanteras and lead up to Diwali on 8 November.
Diwali celebrations in Mauritius began this Friday with Dhanteras, the first of several days of Hindu observance leading up to the festival of lights on 8 November. For many Hindu families on the island, Dhanteras is not simply a warm-up to Diwali but a meaningful day of prayer in its own right.
Acharya Supal Mishra, a Hindu religious guide consulted by ION News, explained that devotees follow specific rituals on this day. Worshippers perform the Dhanteras prayer and prepare offerings that include brooms, coriander seeds and salt. A lamp with five wicks is also lit as part of the ceremony.
The following day, known as Narak Chaturdashi, marks another important step in the cycle of observance. On that occasion, devotees perform the Yam Pujan ritual, which involves lighting a lamp at the back of the home. This act is traditionally associated with seeking protection and spiritual cleansing.
Then comes Diwali itself on 8 November, when 21 lamps will be lit by households to symbolise light triumphing over darkness and to drive away negative energies. The number 21 holds spiritual significance in Hindu tradition and the lighting of these lamps is one of the most visually striking elements of the celebration.
Acharya Mishra noted that the rituals across all three days carry prayers for health, prosperity and success. Some devotees light a lamp at the base of a Peepal tree, a sacred fig tree revered in Hinduism and Buddhism, as an act of prayer for the healing of sick family members. Others observe traditions involving the Tulsi plant, a holy basil considered sacred in Hinduism, to invite prosperity into their business activities.
What this means: Mauritius is home to a large Hindu community, making Diwali one of the most widely celebrated public holidays on the island. Understanding the sequence of observances, from Dhanteras through Narak Chaturdashi to Diwali, helps both residents and visitors appreciate that the festival is not a single day but a carefully structured period of spiritual preparation. Each ritual has a distinct purpose, and families may observe them differently depending on regional Indian traditions carried across generations.
Source: ION News
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali celebrated in Mauritius in 2024?β
Diwali falls on 8 November 2024 in Mauritius. It is a national public holiday, reflecting the significance of the Hindu community in the country, which makes up around half of the population.
What is Dhanteras and how is it observed in Mauritius?β
Dhanteras is the first day of the Diwali period of observance. In Mauritius, devotees perform prayers using offerings such as brooms, coriander seeds and salt, and light a lamp with five wicks. It falls two days before Diwali itself.
What is the significance of lighting 21 lamps on Diwali?β
According to Hindu tradition as explained by Acharya Supal Mishra, lighting 21 lamps on Diwali symbolises the victory of light over darkness and is intended to chase away negative energies from the home.
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