Maldives is the homeland of Sunni Muslims and Islam is the main religion followed here, so it’s very much obvious that Maldivians celebrates almost all the festivities of Muslims, apart from the ones like national day, Independence Day and republic day that are specific to their country. However Maldives has been open to the celebration of other festivals too. The celebration of Maldives festivities reflects a blend of traditions and modernity. For example the traditional music or dance performance that makes use of wooden instruments maybe followed by urban pop music or modern Jazz.

Male, the capital of Maldives is a fascinating place for the shoppers. Garments, perfumes and cosmetics, jewelry, electronic gadgets and gizmos and canned fish and various local handicrafts are among the best picks. The Chaandhanee Magu and the Majeedhee Magu are the prime shopping zones of the city. The Local Market has number of hanging by stalls occupying the place, which display a variety of local produce mainly from the atolls. Here you will come across different kinds of local vegetables, fruits and yams, sweetmeat, nuts and breadfruit chips, bottles of homemade sweets and pickles along with bunches of bananas dangling down from the ceiling beams on coirropes.
The Majeedhee Magu, situated on the main road of the island, has along its sides numerous shops selling goods ranging from the smallest commodities to virtually everything one can imagine. The shops have a fabulous collection of garments, perfumes and cosmetics, jewelry, handbags,watches or electronics and much more. Chaandanee Magu is the best place for souvenir shopping. The shops are stocked with a huge conglomerate and fusion of gifts and souvenir items. Best picks include the “thudu kuna”, the Maldivian mat woven with local natural fibers. The attractive wooden miniaturedhon is are a worthwhile purchase.

Maldivian food revolves largely around fish, tuna by large is the staple food here. This cuisine draws striking similarity from the Sri Lankan and South Indian tradition, especially Kerala. Dishes are often hot, spicy and flavored with coconut, but very few vegetables are used. Atraditional meal consists of rice, a clear fish broth called garudhiya and side dishes of lime,chili and onions. Curries known as rihaare also popular and the rice is often supplemented with roshi, unleavened bread akin to Indian roti, and papad, the Maldivian version of crispy Indian papads.

Some other common dishes include – mas huni, which is shreddedsmoked fish with grated coconuts and onions, the most common Maldivian breakfast; fihunu mas — barbequed fish basted with chili; bambukeyluhiti — breadfruit curry; bajiya — pastry stuffed with fish, coconut and onions; gulha – pastry balls stuffed with smoked fish; keemia — deep-fried fish rolls; masroshi — mas huni wrapped in roshi bread and baked; thelulimas — fried fish with chili and garlic.

Artificial Beach – This is the place where you will find most people in the late afternoons. Despite so many beautiful beaches in Maldives, the capital is not blessed in this respect. Today the people of Male’ can enjoy a good swim at artificial beach. This is a popular place for parents who take their kids for some fresh air and space to enjoy. It’s been a long time that people of Male’ felt the need of such a place. Due to over population and the rapid development taking place, people had forgotten about the importance of recreation and what it can bring to our lives and health.

Hukuru Miskiy – Hukuru Miskiyy, which means Friday Mosque, was built in 1656 during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar I. The interior and exterior walls of this historic mosque, built with coral stones, are intricately carved with Arabic writings and ornamental patterns. The roof, window frames, and doors are made of different types of wood including teak, red sandalwood, and redwood. There is an abundance of beautiful coral carvings and expert lacquer-works inside the mosque. The compound of the mosque also encloses a number of ancient tombstone secreted in memory of past sultans, heroes, and nobles.
Male’s Fish Market –The one place in Male’ where you are always guaranteed a unique show is the fish market, located along the beach front to the west of the Republic Square.This area is the main hub of trade and is a hive of activity throughout the day. The waterfront and the by-lanes in the area are crowded with shops stocked with a variety of goods. Also in the area are the Male’ Fish Market and the Local Market selling a range of local products