Diwali, also called Divali or Dipavali, is the most important hindu festival. This year, it falls on Monday 20th of October (on the same night as Halloween), but celebrations start already in the week preceding that day. It is believed that on the night of Diwali, Goddess Lakshmi enters the house from the main door. That is why you might see things in front of the main gate of houses which will please Goddess Lakshmi. Expect homes to be decorated with gorgeous fairy lights, color garlands, candle lights and beautiful Rangolis on the floors, doorsteps and courtyards. Rangolis are traditionally created with color rice flour, flower petals and designed in various mandala shapes. This magical celebration is also the occasion for families to get together, exchange presents, wear new clothes, pray or enjoy gateaux and indian sweet treats. Expect also to hear a lot of fire crackers in the streets on the night of the festival, traditionally cracked to ward of evil spirits. Here is how to get in the spirit of Diwali in Mauritius.
How to celebrate Diwali in Mauritius in 2025
1. Get in the mood with music performances
Last few years, the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage, in collaboration with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, had organized national Diwali performances on the week before Diwali in several towns in the center of Mauritius, with the participation of local artists and artists from the Greater Peninsula and with the winners of Indian Idol.
They haven’t yet announced the program for this year, but we can expect similar performances.
2. Soak up in the festive atmosphere at Triolet or at Telfair Promenade
Triolet is a village well known for their grandiose and very elaborate decorations and fireworks displays during Diwali. Visit the village around Diwali time and you won’t be disappointed!
Telfair Promenade will also have special illuminations on the night of Diwali, the 20th of October.
3. Enjoy Diwali markets and other celebrations in your favourite malls across the island
4. Offer gateaux and indian sweets to your friends and family
Diwali is that time of the year where you’re allowed to indulge in indian sweets. Typically, Mauritians will visit their friends and family to offer sweets, often packed in beautiful boxes. You will impress your Hindu friends by following this tradition yourself. In Mauritius, special sweets are often created specifically for Diwali and some are typically Mauritian, based on recipes passed down from generation to generation. That’s the case of the Gateau Patates, made with sweet potato, filled with sweet coconut and then deep-fried. Those gateaux will be sold across the island during the Diwali weekend.
Other irresistible sweets which are easy to pack and gift are laddos, made from flour, ghee and sugar, and shaped into small round balls, or barfis, densely packed sweets usually cut into squares, diamonds or circles.
You’ll find the most traditional indian sweets at Namo India which has branches in Rose Hill and Port Louis, or Jain’s Little India which has branches in Sodnac, Tribecca Mall and Rose Belle.
Most indian restaurants will have special offers on sweets boxes during the month preceding Diwali.
5. Attend the concert and dance show “Lumières en scène” at Institut Français de Maurice
The Institut Français de Maurice invites the public on Friday, October 17, 2025, for “Lumières en scène”, a cultural evening celebrating the Festival of Lights. Blending music, dance, and heritage, this free event highlights the beauty of artistic diversity and cultural dialogue. Supported by Thali, the evening begins with the Swarveena Musical Team, a Mauritian collective that fuses Carnatic traditions with Western influences, followed by a performance from the Nritya Tej Dance Academy, renowned for its vibrant reinterpretations of Indian classical dance. More than a concert and show, Lumières en scène is a moment to share light — uniting audiences of all ages through creativity, cultural exchange, and the celebration of artistic expression.
6. Visit beautiful hindu temples in Mauritius
This might be the occasion to visit one of the many hindu temples across Mauritius, as Diwali is also a time for prayers. Read our article on the most stunning Hindu temples in Mauritius to find a selection of the most beautiful and serene temples on the island.
7. Unleash your inner creativity by designing your own Rangolis or decorating oil lamps with your family
Traditionally, Rangoli is an art of decoration drawn on the floor or the entrances of homes, and is especially popular during Diwali. It is thought to bring good luck, prosperity on the house and in the family, and to welcome guests. You’ll find the colorful flour powder used to create Rangolis in supermarkets across the island, so give it a try if you feel creative.
Another creative way to celebrate Diwali is to decorate the traditional clay lamps. Being the Festival of Lights, one way to truly indulge in the spirit of Diwali is to light a lamp or candle, and why not lighting candles you’ve decorated yourself with your kids !
If you have other ideas or know other events and interesting things to do during Diwali, let us know in the comments or contact us 🙂
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