Mauritius celebrates its National Day on March 12. This is the day the island nation won freedom from Great Britain in 1968 as well as the day on which it declared itself a republic in 1992. The day is marked with grand displays of fireworks and festive partying. The monumental day is officially commemorated with a flag-raising ceremony, and a cultural performances waterfront in Port Louis. There are also colourful parades. This is a great time for getting to know Mauritius and Mauritians.

Celebrations of Ugadi—the Hindu New Year—in Mauritius are held not only by the country’s Indian population, which forms almost half of the country’s population, but ethnic Mauritians as this is a national holiday. The event celebrates and promotes the culture of the country’s Telugu Indian community in Mauritius. Festivities include parties and family get-togethers. India’s Satavahana king Shalivahana initiated this era known as Shalivahana. It started in the year 78 AD of the Gregorian calendar. The commemorations start with ritual showers, prayers, and then the eating of unique foods. They include neem floral buds (for bitterness), jaggery (for sweetness), and tamarind juice (for sour).

As a country with a significant Christian population—about a third of all Mauritians are Christian, and most Mauritian Christians are Catholics—Mauritius commemorates the crucifixion and celebrates the life and resurrection of Jesus one year in March or April. Chocolate eggs are sold all over the island. Other Western traditions marking the holiday also take place here. As Easter always falls on a Sunday, many Mauritians take the following day off. They typically enjoy the extra day off on the beach, with much music, picnicking and general merriment. Children enjoy going on Easter egg hunts.