Southern Mauritius:Tamil celebration

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Thaippoosam Cavadee at Bel Hombre Plage

It was a complete coincidence that we happened to visit Mauritius at the right time to see this event of which we had already seen images and questioned ourselves regarding the pain threshold of humans.

Our Hindu host at the guesthouse in Chamarel enthusiastically informed us of the delightful events to be held at the Bel Hombre plage the day after tomorrow. She graphically described the mutilation which the people in the procession inflict upon themselves willingly several times per year before they make their way to a nearby temple. Our host also added that, although religious, she could never inflict such harm on herself and that she couldn't possibly go and watch as she is far too squeamish.

It is an event which takes places all over Mauritius and our host warned us that if we were planning on driving it would be quite likely that we would get stuck behind a procession on its way to a temple. Her prophecy proved to be correct and we did indeed find ourselves later in the day crawling along behind several kilometres of other unfortunates like us and even worse, a bus spewing out black fumes. We took a side road and ended up doing a huge loop and getting lost somewhere in the tea plantations. Nothing new there. We ALWAYS get lost when we travel by car in a new location.

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Photos

Pierced man at Thaipoosam Cavadee
Bel Hombre plage

Pierced girl
Girl waiting for the start of the procession to the temple.