Mauritius Events 2010
Thai Pongal / Sankranti or Mahasankranti
Date: 14 January 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mauritius
Description: To celebrate the end of the harvest season in Mauritius, happy painted cows are served delicious rice pudding in a festival of cleansing, purification and thanksgiving that marks the beginning of the Tamil year.
Thaipoosam Cavadee
Date: February 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mauritius
Description: Tamil worshippers throughout Mauritius demonstrate their unwavering devotion to Lord Subramaniam at Thaipoosam Cavadee festival, an impressive display of organized religious favor.
Maha Shivaratri
Date: 12 February 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Grand Bassin
Description: During Maha Shivaratri thousands of Hindus, dressed in white and carrying flower-adorned arches, embark on a pilgrimage to the Grand Bassin volcanic lake. Once there they collect holy water, bathe statuettes of Lord Shiva and hold special religious ceremonies.
Chinese New Year in Mauritius
Date: 14 February 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mauritius
Description: Mauritius' Chinese community celebrates New Year by hanging vibrant red lanterns and decorations in houses and streets. Families unite to watch glittering fireworks and lively dragon dances. Many feast on traditional 'good luck' foods, like raw fish salad and dumplings.
Backyard Festival
Date: Februry 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Germain Comarmond Stadium
Description: Music fans fill the Germain Comarmond Stadium in Bambous for the annual Backyard Festival, a 12-hour feast of live rock. The line-up features mostly Mauritian bands and some international names. Off-stage, there are roving entertainers and stalls selling memorabilia.
Holi
Date: 28 February - 1 March 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mauritius
Description: Hindu communities across Mauritius celebrate good harvests and the Earth's fertility during Holi, the Festival of Colour. The streets are filled with loud processions, singing and dancing, and locals run amok, smearing brightly coloured powders gulal on each other's faces.
Marlin World Cup
Date: 25 February - 3 March 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Le Morne Angler's Club
Description: At the Marlin World Cup, accomplished anglers trawl the west coast waters of Mauritius in search of hefty billfish and shark. Their base, Le Morne Angler's Club in Black River, also hosts evening cocktail parties after each day-long fishing session.
The Duchess of York Cup
Date: April 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Champ de Mars
Description: Mauritius' annual horseracing season kicks off with the classic Duchess of York Cup. Thousands cheer on newly imported horses as they gallop furiously around the Champ de Mars Racecourse in Port Louis, one of the Southern Hemisphere's oldest tracks.
Royal Raid
Date: May 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mauritius
Description: Dedicated runners take on the 80km or 35km Royal Raid challenge around tropical Mauritius. The longer route, lasting a gruelling 22 hours, starts at the savannah-like Yemen Nature Reserve and finishes at the sugar cane fields of Bel Ombre Estate.
Crossroads of Flavours
Date: May 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mauritius
Description: Master chefs from across the world cook treats up at some of the 5* and 4* Naïade Resorts on Mauritius. Visitors can sample perfectly crafted food at elegant tasting dinners, and hear the gurus share culinary tips at interactive cooking sessions.
Mauritius Marathon
Date: June 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mauritius
Description: Mauritius probably wins the prize for most idyllic marathon location. Athletic competitors start their 26-mile challenge at Tamarin and follow the sunny coastal path to finish on Saint Felix beach, where they can cool down in the turquoise waters.
The Barbé Cup
Date: July 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Champ de Mars Racecourse
Description: Mauritius' annual horseracing season continues with the classic Barbé Cup. Crowds cheer on the horses as they gallop around the Champ de Mars Racecourse in Port Louis, one of the oldest tracks in the Southern Hemisphere.
Kiteival
Date: July - August 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mauritius
Description: During Kiteival, neon power-kites tow surfers through the turquoise lagoons of Mauritius. Different competitions take place along the eastern and southern coasts of the island, including races, freestyle competitions and tests of speed and endurance.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Date: August 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mauritius
Description: Hindus of Mauritius honour the birthday of Ganesh, the son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, a public holiday in Mauritius, islanders bathe statuettes of the elephant-headed god in the sea or by riverbanks.
Pere Laval's Day
Date: September 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Sainte-Croix
Description: Every September, devotees flock to Sainte Croix to see the shrine of holy missionary Pere Laval. Known as the "Saint of Mauritius", he spent his life fighting against slavery. It's believed his resting place is imbued with miraculous healing powers.
Miss Mauritius National Pageant
Date: September 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mauritius
Description: Preened Mauritian beauties enter the National Pageant, hoping to claim the crown and represent Mauritius at Miss World. After performing in Talent, Elegance and Swimming Shows, held at bars and hotels, the winner is announced at the Grand Final.
Diwali
Date: October 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mauritius
Description: Hindus all over Mauritius celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights. At sunset, locals light the rows of candles and lamps that line their balconies and walls. The twinkling spectacle is believed to lead the goddess of fortune to their doors.
Ferney Trail
Date: November 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Ferney Valley
Description: Those with a thirst for adventure should dive headfirst into the verdant Ferney Valley of east Mauritius for this 28km or 10km race. Athletes jog or trek the Ferney Trail, which passes rare flora and fauna and ends at Falaise Rouge.
La Regatta
Date: November 2010 (annual)
Venue: Mahébourg
Description: During La Regatta, the coral island-dotted lagoon of Mahébourg fills with traditional Mauritian pirogues (wooden fishing boats with colourful sails). Crews of five to seven people compete for victory in events such as the D'Albaire Trophy and Aigrettes Island Challenge.
Festival International Kréol
Date: November - December 2010 (annual)
Venue: Mauritius
Description: Parks, beaches and other Mauritian venues host Festival International Kréol, a vibrant celebration of creole culture. Hear the creole lilt at poetry readings, watch colourful skirts twirl at sega dance spectacles and party until sunrise at the all-night music concert.
Mauritius Golf Open
Date: December 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Constance Belle Mare Plage Resort
Description: The Mauritius Golf Open attracts players from across the world to compete on the coastal Legend and Links courses of the Constance Belle Mare Plage Resort. The programme also includes a Ladies Competition, Amateur Championship and International Pro-Am Tournament.
Sea Kayak Tour
Date: December 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mauritius
Description: Hop aboard a banana-yellow kayak to explore the turquoise lagoons and marine wildlife of Mauritius. The solo and two-person kayaks depart from Deux Cocos Island on the southeast coast and travel 130km round to Tamassa Hotel on the south coast.
NOTE: All events listed above are subject to change in dates. Southtravels.com will not bear responsibility for change in dates.