Ougadi 2010 or the Telugu New Year will be celebrated on March 16. The day begins with an extensive oil bath, the drawing of Kolams (Rangolis) in front of homes and the decoration of Toran (mango leaves strung together).

The 42nd Anniversary of the Independence of Mauritius and the 18th Anniversary of the Republic of Mauritius will be celebrated on Friday 12 March, 2010. The theme of the National Celebrations 2010 will be “Nou Pays Nou Fierté. »

Holi, the festival of colours, will be celebrated on Monday, March 1. People celebrate it by splashing coloured powder and coloured water at each other. On the same occasion, people sing “chawtals” and play the “manjira” and drums.

Maha Shivaratri (The Great Night of Shiva) will be celebrated in Mauritius, in India and in the Indian diasporas on Friday February  12.

Thaipoosam Cavadee will be celebrated on Saturday, January, 30. The festival allows Tamil worshippers throughout Mauritius to show their unwavering devotion  and an impressive display of organised religious fervour to Lord Muruga.

Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14. It is the day on which the sun begins its northward journey .
Sankranti means transmigration of Sun from one zodiac to the other. Hence, there are 12 such Sankrantis in a year. However, the Sankranti festival usually refers to Makara Sankranti, or the transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn.

This is one of the most colourful festivals of Mauri­tius. It is the pri­de of all Mauritians where­by joy and sharing are in the midst of celebrations.

Muslims around the world will be celebrating Eid-Ul-Fitr Ei uin a couple of days, after a month-long fasting.

Thousands of people will take the road to Ste Croix on Tuesday night, Sep­tem­ber 8, to pay tribute to  Father Jacques Désiré Laval who was canonised by Pope John Paul II, 30 years ago.

Humanity is marked by distinct personalities who brought difference within the entire civilization. Their exemplary lifestyle and behaviour have enabled others to lead a happy and contented life.

Mothers' Day is celebrated in Mauritius on the last Sunday of May. It is a day to honour mothers and motherhood, especially within the context of families and family relationships.

 Kumarduth Goodary Senior Lecturer, Hindi Studies Section, MGI, discussed the avenues for the collaboration with different websites and web blocks so that Bhojpuri speakers and researchers could make a database to further develop Bhojpuri language and Culture. He commended the effort in Mauritius to create a Bhojpuri blog “Bhojpuri Hamaar” (www.moribhojpuri.ning).

What is the state of Bhojpuri in the Mauritian society? A one-day seminar, organised by the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, has not only helped the exchange  of ideas and views on this dialect spoken  by a majority in Mauritius but also assured that its  future is bright.

Gate of India

After Guanghzou, I just happened to be in Mumbai, India, during the fast weekend, as part of  my globe trotting experience. It's a city that is moving at a rapid pace, teeming with sweltering heat, great people and amazing sights. I'll advise you to catch the next flight.

Easter  is an important annual religious festival in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Christian scripture, Jesus resurrected from the dead three days after his crucifixion. Many Christian denominations celebrate this resurrection on Easter Day or Easter Sunday, two days after Good Friday. The chronology of his death and resurrection is variously located between A.D. 26 and 36 .