The atmosphere is thrilling and the energy is buzzing with tribal notes of music floating. The men with grotesque piercings of steel spears and hooks pull onto decorated ‘Cavadees’ and vehicles even as the women silently march and dance on ecstatic about their affection for Lord Muruga. These are the scenes you witness when you visit Cavadee festival in Mauritius. The festival is observed in the tenth month of the Hindu Calender when the ‘Poosam’ or the star is at its highest. The festival is celebrated sometime around 21st January every year. Here’s a short guide about what the festival of Cavadee is and how it is celebrated.
Historical Significance Of Cavadee Festival
The festival is dedicated to Lord Muruga and is celebrated world over wherever Tamil Hindus have been settled. This includes destinations like Malaysia, Singapore, USA, and the Caribbean. The Cavadee festival in Mauritius is a government and bank holiday, and everyone respects the culture of the ethnic Tamils. This festival is as much about penance and recognizing the burden of humanity as well as celebration. All the rituals have deep meaning to the devotees and it is a great moment to understand the life and culture of Indians in Mauritius.
Suggested Read: 8 Best Heritage Places In Mauritius That Are Perfect For The Explorer In You!
Mauritius Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
Take a break with an exotic holiday in Mauritius. Experience the best of Mauritius with North and South island tours: Inclusive of Hotels, Sightseeing, Transfers, & Meals. Best Prices Guaranteed. Customizable Package & Free Guidance From Destination Experts.
About Cavadee Festival In Mauritius
If you are wondering how is Cavadee celebrated in Mauritius then here is a sneak peek at all the festivities and customs that are followed during the festival:
1. Ten Days Of Fasting And Penance
The Sittirai Cavadee in Mauritius begins like any other Thaipusam festival in India. It starts with ten days of piousness, and the worshippers also have a custom tied to it, the flag hoisting or the Kodi Etram. The flag is tied in temples and is a declaration of the ten-day Cavadee festival when everybody is praying, fasting and eating vegetarian food. You must attend this 10-day festival to get acquainted with the traditions of Mauritius.
Suggested Read: Blue Safari Submarines In Mauritius: A Guide For Exploring The Local Attraction
2. The Night Before D-Day
The main highlight of the event is the Cavadee, which is a wooden structure with an arch that is decorated by the devotees. Each cavadee is different and is decorated with flowers, coconut leaves, peacock feathers and is tied with pots of milk. Some of the cavadees are more elaborate and bigger. Since the devotee has to bear the burden of the cavadee, the bigger cavadees are often dragged with their bodies by the ‘vels’ or tiny spears and hooks!
Must Read: Discover Scuba Diving In Mauritius: Enjoy The Serenity Of These 17 Sites
3. The D-Day
The day of Cavadee festival is a big pompous celebration, and you can see the streets lined up with devotees in bright pink and saffron clothes. The men are sighted carrying their cavadees with steel spears and hooks attached to their bodies. The women and young girls carry pots of milk, and some of the more courageous ones also pierce spears in their mouths. And then those who do not pierce their mouths cover their mouths with a scarf to showcase resilience.
Suggested Read: Aapravasi Ghat In Mauritius: A Guide To Explore The UNESCO World Heritage Site
4. The Celebrations Begin
After a ceremony on the banks of a river or the beach where a priest officiates the ceremony, the devotees then go to temples and relieve themselves of the cavadees. The devotees then celebrate with a vegetarian feast that is called as ‘prasadam’ and eaten on banana leaves. This marks the end of the festival. It goes without saying that the best time to visit Mauritius is during Cavadee festival.
Suggested Read: Citadel Fort In Mauritius: A Comprehensive Guide To Help You Plan Your Trip Well
Myth Surrounding Cavadee Festival
The Cavadee festival in Mauritius is based on an ancient Tamil myth about a robber Idumban. His guru Agathiyar orders him to get two mountain peaks and tie them each on one side of a cavadee and bring them to him. When Idumban is bringing the mountains, he realizes one side is very high and finds Lord Muruga in disguise. He doesn’t recognize the Lord and picks up a fight with him. Lord Muruga gets angry and kills him with a vel or a spear. Seeing Idumban dead, Agathiyar and his followers pray to Lord Muruga to resurrect him. They speak highly about his piousness, and that’s when Lord Muruga brings him back to life. To please him, it was decided that any believer who carries a cavadee to Lord Muruga will have their wishes fulfilled.
Further Read: Mauritius Vs Bali: Find Out Where To Head For Your Next Vacay!
The Cavadee Festival in Mauritius is one of the biggest festivals in the country and is celebrated by all the Tamil Hindus who have settled there. It is one of the best times to visit the country as you can experience not just the natural beauty but also the ethnic diversity and culture of the Mauritians. Plan a trip to Mauritius for once to witness a festival that tests the endurance of humans and their faith.
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cavadee Festival In Mauritius
When is Holy Cavadee Festival held?
The festival is held in the month of January.
What are the other festivals in Mauritius in the month of January?
Thimithi, Chinese spring festival are some of the festivals that are celebrated in the month of January in Mauritius.
Looking To Book An International Holiday?
Book memorable holidays on TravelTriangle with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.
An empty vessel in Christ’s hands. Rest we can talk over chai. :)
