Mauritius is a multi-religious and multi-cultural country which celebrates a rich variety of religious and cultural activities throughout the year. There is a healthy sharing of cultural activities across the numerous religious groups.
These days the Hindu community is celebrating the Shravani Upakarma festival. ‘Shravani’ comes the word ‘Shravan’ which is the name of the fifth month of the Indian calendar. ‘Upakarma ‘is a Sanskrit word (upa+karma), Upa meaning to be done before and ‘karma’ meaning an act/work.
We need to understand what is to be done before what? ‘Upakarma’ is the beginning of the learning of the Vedas. It is carried out throughout the month of Shravan. But before the learning starts, the students have to perform the ritual called Upakarma -that is the changing of the ‘yajopavitra’ which is the sacred thread.
These days this tradition has phased out to quite some extent but still the Vedas occupy a very high place in the life of the Hindus. As a result, these days many religious and cultural activities geared towards the Vedas, are organized throughout the island in the context of the Shravani Upakarma festival. During these events, across our country verses from the Rig or Yajurved are recited. If the audience cannot read or understand the Sanskrit language, they can nevertheless listen to dozens of verses from the Vedas. The vibration of the Sanskrit verses in the ears of the audience, is a therapy that bestows peace, leaving one feeling refreshed.
The third commandment of the Arya Samaj clearly stipulates —The Vedas are the books of true knowledge. It is the paramount duty of all Aryas to read them, to teach them to others, to listen to them and to recite them to others.
It is good to note that prior to the Mahabharata war this festival was very popular. People used to converse in Sanskrit. However, as many scholars and learned people died in the war, gradually, the Sanskrit language started losing its prestige. This is one of the reasons why this festival has lost its authenticity to a great extent. Hoping people take advantage of this sacred month of Shravan by attending the functions organized in this context and enrich their spiritual knowledge.
