Holi festival Mauritius

I put on my painting clothes just in case I would get attacked by people with bags of color that I had seen in the market in Port Louis. I had no idea what I should expect or how it is done. A taxi driver had told that I should go to the temple in the afternoon when people come back from work. So I got ready and headed to the big temple in Grand Baie. To my surprise there was nothing going on there, the usual quiet peaceful temple with the scent of sandalwood . A few flowers and offerings in different places next to the sculptures. The three other temples I searched at were just as quiet. Finally someone led me to the back alleys where people were celebrating.

I could hear music and singing and laughter down the alley. The closer I got the more colors and smells appeared. Young teenagers running with all colors of the rainbow on their faces and on their clothes throwing water and colors at each other.  I got to the garden where the musicians were sitting on the floor with instruments I had never seen in my life. Women in their festive Sari and bags of colors in their hands going around the big circle of people singing around the musician, and rubbing the colors on faces of young and old as if blessing them with good fortune and good wishes.

A man walking around throwing the colors in the air that had a scent of orange blossoms mixed in them  asked me if he could throw some on me. I was ready and happy to be blessed in my painting clothes. On the corner of the garden the smell  of a special curry and rice being cooked in a big pot over a wood fire. I was so happy to have found my private holi festival in Mauritius.