Divali 2024: How Mauritius Lit Up for the Festival of Light
From decorated homes to homemade sweets, Mauritians across the island marked Divali with lights, traditions and community sharing.
Divali, the Hindu Festival of Light, was celebrated across Mauritius this week in a warm and festive atmosphere, with communities on every part of the island joining in the traditions that mark one of the country's most important public holidays.
Mauritians took to social media to share photographs of their homes decorated with oil lamps, known as diyas, and strings of coloured lights. Facades, doorways, gardens and balconies were illuminated in a display that turned neighbourhoods across the island into a collective celebration visible well into the night.
Food is central to Divali in Mauritius, and this year was no different. Families prepared traditional sweets and snacks, known locally as gateaux, including favourites such as halwa, ladoo and barfi. Many shared their home cooking with neighbours, friends and colleagues, reinforcing the spirit of generosity that defines the festival.
Divali, also written as Diwali, commemorates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is rooted in Hindu religious tradition but is widely observed in Mauritius by people of different backgrounds, reflecting the island's multicultural character. Mauritius has one of the largest Hindu populations in sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean region, with Hindus making up roughly half of the country's 1.3 million people.
The festival falls on the fifteenth day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which corresponds to October or November in the Gregorian calendar. In Mauritius it is a national public holiday, a recognition of its cultural and spiritual importance to a large portion of the population.
Beyond private homes, temples, community centres and public spaces across the island were also decorated and illuminated. The sharing of light, food and goodwill between households is considered a core part of the celebration, and that tradition was clearly on display in the images circulating online.
For expats, tourists and visitors present on the island during Divali, the festival offers a vivid window into Mauritian Hindu culture. The illuminated streets and the smell of freshly made sweets create an atmosphere that many describe as one of the most memorable experiences of a visit to Mauritius.
The island's diversity means Divali sits alongside other major celebrations in the national calendar, including Eid, Christmas, Chinese New Year and Ugadi, each observed with similar community spirit.
Source: Le Defi Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Divali a public holiday in Mauritius?β
Yes, Divali is a national public holiday in Mauritius. It is one of several religious and cultural holidays on the official Mauritian calendar, reflecting the island's large Hindu population, which makes up roughly half of the country's 1.3 million residents.
How is Divali celebrated in Mauritius?β
In Mauritius, Divali is celebrated by decorating homes with oil lamps called diyas and coloured lights, preparing traditional sweets such as ladoo, halwa and barfi, and sharing food with neighbours and family. Temples and community spaces are also illuminated, and the festival has a strong tradition of community generosity across the island.
When does Divali take place in Mauritius?β
Divali falls on the fifteenth day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which corresponds to October or November in the Gregorian calendar. The exact date changes each year based on the lunar calendar.
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