Walking Together in Faith : when Mahashivratree Becomes a Bridge to Integration

As thousands of pilgrims make their way to Grand Bassin each year, the footsteps echo more than devotion — they reflect unity. For expatriates Divya Gupta and Aarti Abbi, celebrating Mahashivratree in Mauritius has become a powerful symbol of integration, where faith transcends borders and cultural diversity creates a shared sense of belonging.

Divya Gupta: “Learning about the local significance of Ganga Talao motivates me to participate every year”

For Divya Gupta, a homemaker who has been living in Mauritius since 2012, celebrating Mahashivratree on the island is an experience that feels very distinctive.

“As an expatriate, celebrating Mahashivratree in Mauritius feels both familiar and uniquely vibrant,” she says. “While in India also we have large celebrations, here the atmosphere is different in a special way.”

Across the island, she describes scenes that have become emblematic of the festival: groups of pilgrims walking in devotion, beautifully decorated ‘kanwars’, devotional music filling the air and the chant of “Om Namah Shivaya” echoing along the roads. “The entire country seems to move in rhythm with the festival,” she observes. What strikes her most is the visible harmony — “people of all backgrounds respecting and supporting the occasion.”

When Divya first witnessed Mahashivratree in Mauritius, she was taken by surprise. “Initially I wasn’t aware of the festival being celebrated extensively on such a large scale,” she recalls.

Watching Mauritian pilgrims walking with discipline and excitement left a lasting impression. “One striking moment was seeing people of all ages walking together,” she says. The continuous chanting created what she describes as “a powerful spiritual atmosphere,” transforming ordinary roads into pathways of devotion. 

Every year, Divya participates in the pilgrimage to Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao), the sacred crater lake nestled in the heart of the island and regarded by many Mauritian Hindus as spiritually connected to the Ganges.

“The walk, accompanied by devotional music and chants, creates a strong sense of unity and purpose,” she explains. “Despite the physical effort, there is positivity and devotion throughout the journey.”

Reaching the sacred lake, she adds, is “deeply satisfying and spiritually uplifting.”

Interestingly, although she grew up fasting and visiting temples in India during Mahashivratree, she had never taken part in a pilgrimage walk there. “Although people in India often carry ‘kanwars’ during the month of ‘Saawan’, I never participated in such walks,” she says. “However, since moving to Mauritius, I have taken part in the Mahashivratree pilgrimage and truly admire the devotion of people here. Experiencing these traditions outside India has been spiritually fulfilling,” she utters.

A Celebration Beyond Religion

While Divya is a “proud Hindu” who cherishes the festival, she is particularly moved by the inclusive nature of Mauritian society.

“What truly impresses me in Mauritius is seeing people from different religions and faiths walking all the way to Grand Bassin with equal joy and enthusiasm,” she notes. “It becomes less about religion alone and more about a shared national celebration that brings everyone together.”

Her interactions with Mauritian friends and colleagues have deepened her appreciation of the festival’s local roots. “They helped me understand how deeply rooted Mahashivratree is in the country’s history. Learning about the local significance of Ganga Talao motivates me to participate every year,” she explains. She also highlights small but meaningful gestures of inclusion. “All my Mauritian friends are very welcoming and make us feel at home. It is very touching when they speak in Hindi, even with each other, just to make us feel included.”

For Divya, festivals such as Mahashivratree are powerful gateways to integration.

“When you walk alongside others, listen to the same chants, and share the same atmosphere, this brings people together and builds strong connection,” she reflects.

Participating in local celebrations has transformed her experience as an expatriate. “The music, the gatherings, and the shared respect make us feel part of the Mauritian community, rather than just an observer. The love and support shown by Mauritians toward pilgrims of all nationalities and religions is heartfelt and sincere,” she says. 

Beyond religious devotion, the festival embodies values she holds dear: “devotion, resilience, unity, spirituality, discipline.” The pilgrimage walk, she explains, symbolises perseverance, while collective chanting reflects “deep faith in unity.”

More broadly, Divya believes Mauritius’ cultural and religious diversity plays a vital role in helping expatriates feel at home. “Festivals are celebrated openly and respectfully, allowing everyone to engage at their comfort level. This shared cultural space helps expatriates feel welcomed while preserving their own identity,” she affirms.

Through Mahashivratree, Divya Gupta has found more than spiritual renewal — she has discovered a profound sense of belonging. In the rhythmic chants and collective footsteps leading to Grand Bassin, she sees the essence of Mauritius itself: a nation where faith, culture and community intertwine, and where integration happens not through obligation, but through shared experience.

Aarti Abbi: “When we take part in local festivals and traditions, I feel the warmth and generosity of the Mauritian people”

Seventeen years ago, Aarti Abbi arrived in Mauritius with her family, carrying with her dreams, traditions and an unshakable faith. Today, the island is more than a place of residence — it is home.

An educator at heart, Aarti now serves as Vice President in a trading company, overseeing Trade and Operations, while also nurturing her entrepreneurial venture, Pink Elephant Handcrafted Jewellery & Accessories. But beyond her professional identity, she defines herself first through faith and family — as a wife to Ritesh and mother to Pranav and Myraa.

At the centre of her life, she says, lies “faith, family, and the belief that every journey unfolds beautifully when guided by grace.” Nowhere is this more evident than during Mahashivratree, a festival she describes as deeply emotional and transformative.

“Celebrating Mahashivratree in Mauritius is very special to me,” Aarti shares. A strong believer in Lord Shiva, she speaks of her faith as a source of strength and peace. She also follows her Guruji, whom she sees as “a form of Mahashiva,” embodying “Shiva’s guidance, kindness, and protection.” 

Before moving to Mauritius, Mahashivratree was a quiet and personal observance — temple visits, offering water to the ‘Shivling’, chanting mantras, fasting, and preparing special food at home. “It was peaceful, devotional, and felt close to family and tradition,” she recalls.

But on the island, the scale and intensity of devotion left her in awe. “The devotion and ‘shraddha’ people show is extraordinary,” she says. Watching thousands of devotees walking with faith towards Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) touched her deeply. “The energy, the dedication, the collective faith, it’s something you feel in your heart, not just see with your eyes. It made me realize that devotion has no borders, and being part of this celebration here is truly magical.”

For Aarti, her first Mahashivratree in Mauritius remains etched in her memory. “I had never experienced anything like it before,” she utters. What struck her were the small yet powerful moments — devotees carrying colourful ‘kanwars’ for kilometres, strangers serving food and water with love, and the overwhelming presence of faith in every heart.

“It felt like the whole island had turned into a spiritual haven, alive with ‘bhakti’,” she recalls. She left that first experience “with my heart full, inspired, and deeply moved.”

Since then, participating in the pilgrimage to Grand Bassin has become an annual ritual. Aarti walks every year with her group of friends — “my biggest motivation and drive.”

Reaching Grand Bassin at night, she describes a scene that feels almost otherworldly: “The passing clouds, the cool breeze, and the echo of chants all around create a feeling that is both serene and powerful. In that moment, I feel as if I’ve stepped into a completely divine and different world.”

But for Aarti, the festival is not only about the walk. It is also about ‘sewa’ — selfless service. Alongside her husband Ritesh and their children, she distributes water, juice and food to pilgrims.

“For us, this has become a beautiful family tradition,” she explains. Watching her children offer a bottle of water with a smile reinforces what she believes to be the true meaning of devotion: “It’s not just about rituals — it’s about kindness, love, and giving from the heart.”

Integration Through Celebration

Living in Mauritius has broadened her understanding of Mahashivratree. Through interactions with Mauritian friends, colleagues and neighbours, she discovered traditions she had never known before, such as the ‘Char Paher Ki Pooja’. “Every year, we are blessed to witness these celebrations, and it has made me appreciate the depth, discipline, and community spirit behind Mahashivratree in ways I never knew before,” she asserts. 

“The warmth, guidance, and enthusiasm of the people here have made the festival come alive for me,” she says. What was once a simple ritual has become “a rich, immersive, and spiritual experience.”

For Aarti, festivals are powerful gateways to integration. “When we take part in the celebrations, we don’t just watch the rituals — we join the community,” she explains. Walking to Grand Bassin, participating in ‘sewa’, and celebrating alongside people of all religions make her family feel included and welcomed.

“To be very honest, I really love participating in and learning about the local culture here. It’s a beautiful way to stay connected to India and our own roots, while also embracing the uniqueness of Mauritius. When we take part in local festivals and traditions, I feel the warmth and generosity of the Mauritian people, how they welcome expats with open arms and make us feel included,” she affirms. 

“Mauritius has truly become a second home — away from home, yet completely at home,” she adds. 

Humanity Before All

Beyond religious observance, Aarti believes the essence of Mahashivratree lies in universal values. “They remind us to be human first,” she says. Love, compassion, gratitude and selfless service are, in her view, the true messages of the festival.
“Every small act of love — whether it’s offering water to a devotee, helping someone in need, or simply smiling — reflects the spirit of Mahadev in us,” she states.

Over the years, she has embraced Mauritian traditions, learning to prepare local delicacies such as ‘gateau piment’, ‘poori’ and ‘kheer’, and witnessing rituals like the ‘Char Paher Ki Pooja’. She hopes one day to deepen her understanding further by reading the ‘Shiv Puran’.

In Aarti’s eyes, Mauritius’ cultural and religious diversity is one of its greatest strengths. “Mauritius has always welcomed expats with open arms. It is evident from the fact that not only local Mauritians, but people from different backgrounds and expats also join in the festival,” she says.

Seeing locals and expatriates walking together to Grand Bassin or performing ‘sewa’ side by side is, for her, a powerful symbol. “This beautiful participation brings people of different cultures and faiths together, creating connections and shared experiences. It helps us learn from one another, respect each other’s traditions, and build a sense of community” she explains. “In this way, festivals like Mahashivratree become more than a celebration — they become a bridge that unites everyone.”