Mauritius recently commemorated the 49th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s historic arrival in the country in 1975 with a week of celebrations that honored his legacy as well as set the stage for next year’s highly anticipated 50th-anniversary event. From heartfelt gatherings at Krishna Balaram Mandir to a vibrant beach kirtan at Pointe aux Sables, the spirit of devotion and gratitude for Srila Prabhupada’s contributions was palpable.

The festivities kicked off on September 29th at Krishna Balaram Mandir, where devotees and well-wishers gathered to hear the plans for next year’s milestone celebration. Arjuna, one of Srila Prabhupada’s direct shiksha disciples in Mauritius, reminded the audience of the power of cooperation among devotees, emphasizing how vital it is for everyone to work together to carry Srila Prabhupada’s mission forward. Ajay Caitanya Dasa from the core event organizing team highlighted how marking this momentous occasion is essential for future generations of devotees. At the same time, main coordinator Rasika Sindhu Dasa passionately shared the vision behind the 50th-anniversary celebration, encouraging everyone to think about how they can contribute to this grand offering of gratitude to Srila Prabhupada. Events like an essay writing competition, Padayatra, and even a special souvenir coin were announced as part of next year’s celebrations.

On October 1st, the anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s actual arrival in Mauritius, a lively harinam sankirtan party set off from Pointe aux Sables, where Srila Prabhupada had once walked during his visit. Led by Panchattava Dasa and joined by nearly 100 devotees, the procession, which included a chariot carrying Gaura-Nitai deities, traveled through the streets, spreading the Holy Names. Even local residents, many of whom live in disadvantaged areas, came out to greet the procession, receiving halva prasadam and offering flowers and sandalwood to the Deities. It was a moment of spiritual connection and joy, with Sundar Caitanya Goswami leading an ecstatic kirtan that had the youth dancing without reserve in the streets.

The Harinam ended at the very beach where Srila Prabhupada had stayed during his 1975 visit. Rasika Sindhu poignantly described how the area had since transformed. Though new developments have since replaced the original house where Srila Prabhupada had resided, the devotees expressed a hope to purchase land nearby and preserve this sacred space.

The week’s events included more intimate gatherings as well, such as a viewing of a recorded lecture by Srila Prabhupada from October 4, 1975, followed by a feast and discussions at Tamal Krishna’s house. The culmination of the celebrations came on October 6th, with a beach program featuring a three-hour kirtan, discussions on Srila Prabhupada’s time in Mauritius, and a feast that even members of the public on the beach were invited to enjoy. Devotees danced and chanted, Sundar Caitanya Goswami leading the way, and Sankarshan Das shared his personal journey of coming to Krishna Consciousness through Srila Prabhupada’s teachings.

The excitement is already building for next year’s 50th-anniversary celebration, with plans to launch a series of lectures, video releases of Srila Prabhupada’s talks, and a special book on the history of ISKCON in Mauritius. As the Mauritian devotee community looks ahead, the spirit of Srila Prabhupada’s mission is very much alive, and these celebrations are a reminder of how his visit continues to inspire and guide devotees nearly five decades later.

For additional information about the upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations of Srila Prabhupada’s visit to Mauritius, individuals can visit the dedicated Facebook event page for updates and discussions.