|
In light of the new government funding available at the time, the Mauritius Tamil Temples Federation (MTTF) was established in 1960 to oversee the administration of the Mauritian kovils and to attempt to bring together the leadership of the Tamil community. The MTTF continues to provide the leadership for the Tamil Hindu community of Mauritius and the 106 kovils and groups belonging to the organization. The MTTF continues to build new kovils and adhere to very strict traditional Tamil architecture, which includes an elaborate gateway into the temple compound as pictured here at the Arulmigu Kannanoor Mariammen Kovil. |
|
The decorations at this temple are a sign that the community is preparing to celebrate one of the many distinctly Tamil festivals. This temple is home to one of the largest Theemidi or Fire-Walking celebrations on the island where devotees walk across a pit of hot coals as a demonstration of their devotion. |
|
Pictured here is the pit that contains the hot coals for the Theemidi festival. Most kovils around the island host a Theemidi between the months of January and March. |
|
The Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen Kovil, known as Kaylasson, is the largest Tamil temple in the country and a central place for celebrating the Tamil festival of Kavadee. |
|
Although there are very few Mauritian craftsman skilled and trained in the traditional arts of temple sculpting and temple building, Mauritian Tamils take great care when building their kovils to adhere to the traditional designs and often bring craftsmen from India to complete that task. |
|
The close-up of this figure from a sculpture at the Kaylasson Kovil demonstrates the significant level of detail that goes into each painted sculpture. The sculptures are often symbols and narratives of the Tamil pantheon. |
|
Although the temple complex of Kaylasson incorporates elaborate temple design, this tree still serves as center for worship and is reminiscent of the shrines found in some rural areas throughout the island. |
|
Like the Tamil Hindus, the Mauritian Telegus are descendents from south Indian immigrants. Tracing their linguist, cultural and religious heritage to the state of Andhra Pradesh in south eastern India, the Telegus of modern Mauritius have a strong and tight-knit community, but encounter many of the problems faced by small minority groups the world over. |
|
Another part of the complex is a large function hall. This type of hall is a common addition to many Hindu temples around the island and is used for cultural celebrations, social functions such as wedding receptions and ceremonies, and administrative meetings. |
|
Many of the Indian immigrants that came to Mauritius as indentured laborers from North India were Muslims. Today their descendents, the Muslim Indo-Mauritians, make up around 20% of the total population of the country. The Jummah Mosque pictured here is the largest mosque in the nation. |
