Divali in Mauritius: The Ancient Festival of Light Explained
From its Hindu mythology roots to glowing diyas shared across Mauritian neighbourhoods, here is what Divali means and how it is celebrated.
Divali, also written as Deepavali, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the world, and in Mauritius it holds a special place in the national calendar. The name comes from the Sanskrit word meaning "row of lights", and the festival has been observed for centuries across South and Southeast Asia and beyond.
The origins of Divali are rooted in Hindu mythology. One of the best-known stories behind the celebration tells of Prince Rama, a central figure in the Hindu epic the Ramayana, who returned to his home city of Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. His return followed a great battle in which he defeated the demon king Ravana. To welcome him home, the people of Ayodhya lit rows of small clay oil lamps to guide his way. That act of lighting the darkness became the defining symbol of the festival.
Today, Divali is celebrated in more than a dozen countries, including India, Nepal, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Mauritius. In each place, local customs shape the way the festival is observed, but the core meaning remains the same: the triumph of light over darkness, and of good over evil.
In Mauritius, where people of Indian origin make up roughly 70 percent of the population, Divali is a public holiday and a moment of genuine community spirit. Families decorate the outside of their homes with coloured lights and rangoli patterns. Diyas, the small traditional oil lamps made from clay, are lit in rows along walls, doorsteps and garden paths, creating the warm glow the festival is named for. Sweets and home-made cakes are prepared and shared with family, friends and neighbours, cutting across communities in a country known for its cultural diversity.
The sharing of food during Divali is considered as important as the lighting of lamps. It reflects a spirit of togetherness that many Mauritians describe as central to the island's social fabric.
What this means: For visitors and expatriates in Mauritius around the time of Divali, the festival offers a remarkable window into the island's Hindu heritage and its multicultural character. Streets and residential areas across the country are transformed after nightfall, and the exchange of sweets between neighbours of different backgrounds is a custom that reflects the broader values of Mauritian society. If you are in Mauritius during Divali, expect some businesses to close for the public holiday and expect evening road traffic as families visit one another.
Source: ION News
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Divali a public holiday in Mauritius?β
Yes, Divali, also known as Deepavali, is an official public holiday in Mauritius. The date changes each year as it follows the Hindu lunar calendar, typically falling between October and November.
How is Divali celebrated in Mauritius?β
In Mauritius, families light diyas (small clay oil lamps) around their homes, decorate with coloured lights and rangoli patterns, and share homemade sweets and cakes with neighbours and relatives. The festival is widely observed given that people of Indian origin make up around 70 percent of the Mauritian population.
What is the story behind Divali?β
One of the most widely told legends links Divali to the return of Prince Rama to the city of Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana, as described in the Hindu epic the Ramayana. The people of Ayodhya lit clay lamps to welcome him, which is why lighting diyas remains the central tradition of the festival.
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