In alphabetical order: Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam.
A main feast of each of these religions coincides in February 2026.
Mauritius is a rare country where the faithful of a given group celebrate their religious feasts, sacred events amongst themselves but with very wide sharing and even participation of others not of the faith. These are celebrated openly, known to all and shared by all in a spirit of fraternity.
Sunday, February 15th: Maha Shivaratri. This is a major festival celebrated in Mauritius. During the period (13–15 February this year), most Hindu devotees had started their pilgrimage to the sacred lake of Ganga Talao located in Grand-Bassin. Devotees come from all around the island and walk miles for this celebration. And on their pilgrimage from home to Ganga Talao, pilgrims are received and given drink and food by the community. Not just members of the Hindu faith but others as well. And the country will adapt daily life events to facilitate the pilgrimage and the safety of pilgrims.
Tuesday, February 17th: Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (it’s springtime in China and Asia, but autumn in the Southern Hemisphere). Temple visits are considered a good way to resolve any conflicts and bring peace in the coming months. And great food: 2026 Chinese Year of the Horse menu centres on symbolic dishes for luck, wealth, and health.
Wednesday, February 18th: Christian LENT (CARÊME). First day of Islamic RAMADAN. Due to different lunar vs solar calendars, these occasions both occur yearly, around the February–April period but rarely, as of now in 2026, do they happily COINCIDE. Lent covers 40 days, ending with EASTER; Ramadan 29 to 30 days ending with EID.
RAMADAN and the CARÊME also coincide with the Jewish Passover (Pesach) in Judaism.
FINALLY, a message, a request, a prayer to ALL the faithful in Mauritius and elsewhere of Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam: In your devotions, pray for PEACE, for peace in the world. With the message to all: “make love not war”. Thus, the true spirit of religion will spread everywhere, in all dark corners of this world.
J'aime
