Thaipoosam Cavadee in Mauritius in 2025
Thaipoosam Cavadee is a public holiday celebrated in Mauritius on the full moon in the 10th month of the Tamil calendar, which falls between January and February.Mauritius is the only country in Africa where Hinduism is the largest religion, with over half the population being followers of the religion.As many Hindus are descended from Tamils, Thaipoosam Cavadee is one of the most popular festivals in Mauritius.
Ten days before the festival, the symbolic flag is hoisted in front of the temple, indicating the beginning of fasting, prayers and abstinence among the most religious Hindus to purify their souls and hearts. To show the ultimate devotion, Hindus pierce their bodies with needles and spears in symmetrical patterns. The festival is celebrated in all the Hindu temples of the island. People carry flowers in the streets, bring offerings, take purifying baths, and dance the ritual dance of the cavadee. Lively crowds move slowly through the streets to the rhythm of traditional music towards the temple. Inside the temple, penitents place the offerings to Lord Muruga and remove the hooks from their bodies, a sacrifice aimed at purifying the souls of the devotees. Then the flag is lowered marking the end of one of the strangest but spiritual festivals of Mauritius.
