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Mauritius, a sparkling crystal in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, will fascinate you. The contrast of colours, cultures and tastes makes the island so charming that the scene is set for an unforgettable holiday. Here, you have the opportunity to experience unparalleled luxury: a level of refinement that is head and shoulders above that on offer in other tropical holiday destinations. Here, you will discover the true meaning of ‘beauty’ – a realisation that will compel you to return to Mauritius’ shores time and again...

Culture :

People :

Visitors to Mauritius often find themselves in a state of delight and surprise as they tour the island – not least when they meet Mauritian people for the very first time.

This is a country that appears to be at a cross-roads with many other lands. The population of Mauritius is incredibly diverse. There are people of Indian descent (Indians, Tamils, Marathis, Muslims), those of Creole lineage (with their Malagasy and African origins), families of Sino-Mauritians (from the Far East), and finally groups of Franco and Anglo-Mauritians.

Today, Mauritius’ Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians are united – to quote the national anthem – as “one people… one nation, in peace, justice and liberty”. Together, they make a vital contribution to the island’s multi-ethnic identity.

Culture Events :

Several religious festivals are celebrated on Mauritius, exemplifying just how multicultural the island really is. The country’s streets come alive with parades celebrating the Chinese Spring Festival, the processions of the Tamil Cavadi, the Hindu pilgrimage to the Grand Bassin, the Catholic pilgrimage to the tomb of the Blessed Jacques Désiré Laval in Port Louis, and the annual Muslim re-enactment of Abraham’s sacrifice of his son.

Festivals

Mauritius is a blend of diverse cultures and religions. Our population coming from three continents has brought traditions and beliefs from their ancestral countries. Religious festivals are celebrated in a spirit of peace and harmony throughout the year.

Dec / Jan / Feb :

Fire Walking: This Tamil ceremony takes place between December and February. After ten days of purification, meditation and praying, penitents go to the temple where they walk slowly across a pit of burning coal – said to represent the outstretched sari of Draupadee – before dipping their feet in milk to cool down.

Holi: This is an important time for joy and sharing in the Indian calendar. During this frenzied but always good-natured event, men, women and children throw coloured water and powder on each other while wishing one another good fortune.

Id-El- Fitr: Signalling the end of Ramadan – the fasting period for people of Muslim faith – Id-El-Fitr sees participants exchanging gifts, giving alms to the poor, and visiting their families and friends to wish them good fortune for the months ahead.

Thaipoosum Cavadee: Celebrated in honour of God Muruga, the son of Lord Shiva, Thaipoosum Cavadee is not only the most important festival in the Tamil calendar, but also the most spectacular. After ten days of fasting and prayers in January / February, devotees embark on a pilgrimage to local Kovils (Tamil temples). Throughout the procession, these devotees carry ‘cavadees’: carved, wooden structures decorated with leaves, flowers, fruits and photographs of saints, each designed to honour Lord Muruga. The celebration has gained notoriety in recent years because many of the devotees pierce certain parts of their anatomy with fine needles, including their cheeks, backs and chests.

March / April

12th of March, National Day: Independence Day is celebrated with great national pride all the way across Mauritius.

Ougadi: This festival celebrates the New Year of the Telegu – an Indian ethnic group – and is characterised by the preparation of elaborate family meals, cultural shows and the distribution of prayers, cakes and sweets between relatives and friends.

August / September

Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrated by Hindus on of the fourth day of the lunar month in August / September, this festival commemorates the birth of the Hindu God Ganesh. Small replicas of the God, with its elephant head, are taken to the beaches or to riverbanks so they can be immersed before sunset.

Père Laval pilgrimage: Every 9th September, Mauritians of all faiths walk or drive to Sainte-Croix near Port Louis to visit the tomb of the Blessed Jacques Désiré Laval – the ‘Apostle of the Black People’. The celebration around Père Laval, who is believed to have healing powers, reminds us of the fervour of the Lourdes pilgrimage in France. Interestingly, Father Laval was the first person beatified in the pontificate of Pope John Paul II.

October / November

Divali: Celebrated in October / November, Divali marks the victory of Rama over Ravana: of light (truth) over darkness (ignorance). It also commemorates Krishna’s destruction of the demon Narakasuram.

During this festival, small clay lamps are lined up on walls and balconies and in yards. They are lit at sunset and their golden beams – believed to guide the Goddess of wealth and good fortune into the lantern owner’s house – can be seen everywhere across the island.

Best Time to Visit
Climate

Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate. Although temperatures are rather moderate throughout the year with occasional rainfall, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December.

As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe.

Seasons

Summer: November to April

The weather is hot and humid during these months, with peaks in temperatures occurring in the months of December, January and February.

Rainfall is abundant, especially on the central plateau. The highest rainfall normally occurs in the months of February and March.

Daylight hours typically run from 5.30am to 7.00pm.

This is the best time for scuba diving – especially December through to March – and for deep-sea fishing.

The cyclonic season extends right the way through from November to April. Most of the time, the cyclones manage to avoid Mauritius because of the small size of the island. However, if they come close enough, the bad weather may affect vegetation and certain wooden buildings. Please rest assured that beach resorts have been constructed in such a way as to be able to resist strong cyclonic winds.

Winter: May to October

The temperature is cooler during this season, and prevailing winds tend to blow over the island from the east and south-east.

The lowest temperatures are felt in August (20°C on the coast). Daylight hours typically run from 6.45am to 5.45pm.

This is the best season for surfing (June to August).

Weather

On the central plateau, which is some 600 metres above sea level, the average day temperature is between 20°C in August and 26°C in February.