Beachcomber Magazine 03

with his trident. Not all kanwars are on wheels: some are carried by men who take it in turns to sweat under the burning sun of the southern summer. The religious chanting is mixed with the electronic sound of techno music, which the young people much prefer. CROWDS AND SHIVERS This year, Danraj has chosen to “go back to tradition”, meaning less ostentation. This head of the family has pushed aside his soldering iron and workman’s tools on his little concrete veranda to make room for his children, nieces, nephews and cousins. A few hours before leaving, they are all busy covering bamboo sticks with red and white paper, which they then tress into baskets or openwork pyramids. Each person will transport his or her modest kanwar from the village of Saint-Paul, some ten miles fromGrand Bassin, to the beat of the traditional drums, or dholaks . On arriving at the holy lake, the pilgrims, who have just ended two to five weeks of fasting, pray for a long while on its shores. Ramnath, in a black hat and white shorts, accom- panies his mother, who is dressed in an elegant blue and gold sari. “ I walked for two days, and Mum arri- ved by car, ” the young man confides. Solemnly, they light incense and diyas on banana leaves transformed into frail little boats. Sporting a little ponytail, Suvasagar, an Indian priest who settled in Mauritius seventeen years ago, reminds everyone of the meaning of the offerings: milk, yoghurt, butter, honey and sugar symbolise the five elements of the world: sky, wind, water, fire and earth. The fervour is peaceful, and the smi- ling devotees agree to have their photos taken by the few tourists. Girish, a member of the association that manages the temple, is not sur- prised. The man who felt “shivers” when visiting the tomb of Jesus in Jerusalem, guarantees the “tolerance” of his flock and this lay preacher says he respects “ all the religions of the world ”. “PRAYING TOGETHER STRENGTHENS THE TOGETHERNESS.” « PRIER ENSEMBLE RENFORCE L’ESPRIT D’ÉQUIPE. » 