Mauritian Kids in France Send Warm Divali Wishes from Abroad
Éléonore, Édouard, Maxime and William, children of Pravesh Seetohul from Trou d'Eau Douce, celebrate Divali in France while honouring their Mauritian roots.
Every year at Divali, millions of Mauritians light oil lamps, share sweets and gather with family to celebrate the Hindu festival of light. For the Mauritian diaspora living thousands of kilometres away, the occasion carries an extra layer of meaning, a reminder of home and heritage kept alive across borders.
This Divali, four young Mauritians based in France sent their warmest wishes to the island. Éléonore, Édouard, Maxime and William are the children of Pravesh Seetohul, originally from Trou d'Eau Douce, a coastal village on the east coast of Mauritius known for its turquoise lagoon and fishing community. The family has been living in France for more than a decade.
Despite growing up in France, the Seetohul children continue to observe Divali and stay connected to the traditions their father has passed on to them. Through the celebration of festivals like Divali, the family preserves its Mauritian cultural identity and Hindu heritage far from the island.
Their message reflects a wider story shared by thousands of Mauritians who have settled in France, one of the largest destinations for the Mauritian diaspora. France is home to a significant community of Mauritians, many of whom maintain close ties to the island through language, food, religion and cultural festivals.
Divali, also written as Diwali, is one of Mauritius's most important public holidays. The festival marks the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, and is rooted in Hindu tradition. In Mauritius, where Hindus make up the largest religious group, Divali is a national celebration that brings together communities across all backgrounds. Streets and homes are decorated with diyas, traditional clay oil lamps, and families exchange mithai, traditional sweets.
For diaspora communities like the Seetohul family, celebrating Divali abroad is both a personal act of faith and a cultural bridge. It keeps children connected to an island many may know only through visits or family stories, while anchoring them in an identity that travels with them.
The gesture of sending Divali wishes from France to Mauritius is a small but telling example of how the Mauritian diaspora, spread across Europe, Australia, Canada and beyond, remains emotionally and culturally tied to the island, even generations after emigration.
Source: Le Defi Media
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Mauritians in France celebrate Divali?−
Mauritians living in France mark Divali by continuing traditions from home, including lighting diyas, sharing traditional sweets known as mithai, and gathering with family. France hosts one of the largest Mauritian diaspora communities in the world, and cultural and religious celebrations help maintain links to the island.
Is Divali a public holiday in Mauritius?−
Yes, Divali is an official public holiday in Mauritius. It is one of the country's most widely celebrated festivals. Hindus form the largest religious group on the island, and Divali marks the victory of light over darkness, with homes and streets lit by traditional clay oil lamps called diyas.
Where is Trou d'Eau Douce in Mauritius?−
Trou d'Eau Douce is a small coastal village on the east coast of Mauritius, known for its clear lagoon, fishing heritage and as a gateway to Ile aux Cerfs, a popular tourist island. It falls under the Flacq district, one of the nine administrative districts of Mauritius.
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