09/04/2022
On this first Public Holiday of 2022, Cavadee, we are pleased to share this relaxing picture of our Alumna Aniek, ICT Student from Eindhoven, The .
Thaipoosam Cavadee is celebrated in honour of Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Murugan
When is Thaipoosam Cavadee?
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.
The History of Thaipoosam Cavadee
In the 10 days before Thaipoosam Cavadee, devotees observe a period of fasting. On the day of the festival, many of the devotees will have their cheeks, tongues and chests pierced with needles before walking in bare feet to the temple.
On their way to the temple, the devotees carry the cavadee (an arc made from wood, metal or plastic), which symbolises sacred mountains from an ancient Tamil legend about an outlaw who was asked to carry two mountains on a cavadee.