Chhath Puja: A Lost Tradition Finding Its Way Back to Mauritius

Cultural Memory and Revival in the Diaspora

The return of Chhath Puja to Mauritius will symbolise the reawakening of cultural memory, the reaffirmation of identity, and the continuity of faith that transcends centuries

By Savita Tiwari

When the first indentured labourers from Bihar set foot on Mauritian soil in 1834, they brought with them not just their hard work and hope, but also their culture. This was a culture deeply rooted in traditions, songs, rituals, and festivals that carried the fragrance of the Ganga and the simplicity of the village life they had left behind. Among these traditions was the Chhath Puja, one of the oldest and most spiritually significant festivals of Bihar, dedicated to Surya Dev (the highly revered Hindu Sun God, one of the most prominent deities in Vedic and Hindu traditions) and Chhathi Maiyya (a revered Hindu folk goddess, central to the major festival of Chhath Puja, and who protects children, grants fertility, and ensures the longevity and prosperity of the family).

“In recent years, a few families, mostly NRIs and newer migrants from North India, have begun observing the Chhath Vrat on the island. Seeing them standing by the sea or rivers at dawn, offering arghya to the rising and setting sun, fills the heart with warmth and nostalgia. For many older Mauritians of Bihari descent, it feels like watching a forgotten page of history come alive again…”

However, when those early Bihari ancestors arrived in Mauritius under the indenture system, life on the sugar plantations was unimaginably hard. The plantation owners were known for their rigid rules and harsh behaviours. No holidays were granted, and if a labourer took even a single day’s leave, two days’ wages were deducted. Working hours were long, stretching from dawn till dusk, and resources were scarce — even basic food, clothing, and shelter were limited.

Under such severe conditions, it was nearly impossible to observe a demanding festival like Chhath Puja. Over time, as generations blended into the Mauritian landscape, many of these old traditions slowly faded from memory.

Today, Chhath Puja is remembered only faintly among the elderly descendants of those early Bihari settlers. They recall that the festival was not completely forgotten, noting: “Humnike dadi e vrat karat rahli.” (Our grandmother used to keep the Chhath fast.) They remember hearing about Chhathi Maiyya and the stories related to the Ramayan and Mahabharat in their childhood, told by their dadi’s, who despite having almost nothing still managed to perform Chhath Puja in the simplest way they could, by offering arghya to the sun. arghya is the central and most significant ritual of the Chhath Puja festival. It is a formal offering, typically of water and milk, presented directly to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiyya

In the last century, the festival faded from the memories of the early Bihari settlers in Mauritius. Their descendants, while still upholding Hindu traditions, lost touch with this particular celebration. Yet, some memories never die completely; they lingered quietly in stories and the collective subconscious. Today, nearly 48 percent of the Mauritian population is Hindu, and around 35 percent trace their ancestry directly to Bihar and the surrounding areas. Despite over a century and a half of cultural evolution, the emotional connection between Bihar and Mauritius remains alive — sometimes dormant but never broken.

In the past decade, Mauritius has witnessed a remarkable organic revival of Indian festivals. Ganesh Chaturthi, once celebrated only at homes, now fills the streets with vibrant processions, large idols, dhol jhakri dances, and joyous visarjan ceremonies. Garba during Navratri has grown enormously in scale, with colourful events held across the island and thousands of Mauritians of all backgrounds participating with enthusiasm.

This shows how Indian traditions are evolving organically on Mauritian soil, shaped by devotion, curiosity, and the spirit of community and backed by the power and positive influence of social media. Social media platforms have allowed younger generations to reconnect and rediscover their roots.

And now, it seems that Chhath Puja is poised to make a similar journey, from memory to revival.

In recent years, a few families, mostly NRIs and newer migrants from North India, have begun observing the Chhath Vrat on the island. Seeing them standing by the sea or rivers at dawn, offering arghya to the rising and setting sun, fills the heart with warmth and nostalgia. For many older Mauritians of Bihari descent, it feels like watching a forgotten page of history come alive again.

What is even more heartening is the growing curiosity among Mauritian Hindus about this unique festival. People want to understand the meaning behind its rituals, the songs, and the stories of Chhathi Maiyya. In an age where information is at everyone’s fingertips and resources are easily available, many are beginning to realise that reviving Chhath Puja in Mauritius is not only possible, but also deeply fulfilling.

The Chhath Vrat, once nearly impossible under the restrictions of the 19th-century plantation life, is now within reach of every devotee who wishes to reconnect with their ancestral roots. Modern Mauritius offers the freedom, facilities, and awareness that the early indentured labourers could only have dreamt of. Today, one can easily access the vidhi (procedures), chants, and songs online, and communities can come together in shared devotion, something their forebears were denied.

As the Mauritian Hindu landscape continues to evolve, Chhath Puja may soon find its rightful place once again. Not as a festival of the past, but as a living tradition that bridges time, geography, and generations. It carries within it the simplicity of nature worship, the discipline of devotion, and the strength of womanhood, all of which deeply resonate with the cultural values of Mauritius.

Perhaps in the next few years, the island’s beaches and riversides will glow with the light of diya during the evening arghya, echoing the songs of Chhathi Maiyya. The scene will not just be worship, but of remembrance. A tribute to the strength, resilience, and faith of the ancestors who once dreamed of the same sunrise, across the ocean, in a land called Bihar.

The return of Chhath Puja to Mauritius will not merely mark the revival of a festival; it will symbolise the reawakening of cultural memory, the reaffirmation of identity, and the continuity of faith that transcends centuries.

For those who stand by the sea today, offering prayers to the sun, it is not just about tradition. It is about coming home, after nearly two hundred years.

La Laura, Mauritius

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 31 October 2025