The Hindu community accounts for some 60% of Mauritian people in a local Hindu population and it is found in the Indian Ocean in Mauritius, a small island nation. Just before Maha Shivaratri, the country has one of the largest Hindu observances beyond India. The devotees, who come from all over Mauritius, visit the holy lake of Grand Bassin, carrying colorful kanwars and invoking prayers to Lord Shiva. They are not only pilgrims here for spiritual reasons but to reflect the country’s unique cultural identity and unity.
In Mauritius, Maha Shivaratri consists of fasting, night prayers and offerings at temples. Almost 400,000 worshippers, all in white, gather at Grand Bassin, aptly called Ganga Talao, to perform worship and ask for blessings. Hymns, incense smoke and devotional songs fill the air, giving us a powerful spiritual experience. The gigantic statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga on the site enhance the opulence of the festival, whereas the night processions underline how much devotion the people feel.
It is a means of connecting generations to their ancestral traditions and is an important part of this region’s Indo-Mauritian community. It signifies faith, disciplined behaviour, communalism and deep-rooted cultural connection between Mauritius and India. Aiding in facilitating the affairs is the support from the government and several local organizations — proving that what is essentially an important moment for Mauritius itself is of significance in the fabric of the national psyche.
Mauritius is generally referred to as the most developed country in Africa in terms of per capita income, which is close to a number of European countries. Its economy is anchored in tourism, finance and technology, and it has enjoyed political stability with a diverse cabinet, half of which is Hindu. If structural and macroeconomic trends persist, Mauritius is likely to reach similar prosperity levels to Europe or Australia before mid century. It is this culture-rich while economically-advancing ratio that makes Mauritius stand out in an African context.
Maha Shivaratri is not just a religious festival in Mauritius but a national event that embodies the culture of the country as well as the religion and faith. As economically and culturally vibrant Mauritius, Grand Bassin in Mauritius is a great reminder that prosperity comes with more than just riches, rather it is defined by values, customs and cohesion.
