AN event which celebrates the victory of good over evil was enjoyed by more than 1,000 people.

Families were entertained by performers, music and fireworks at the annual Dussehra Festival and Diwali Fair.

The highlight was the burning of the effigy of Ravana — the 10-headed king of the demons which each represent evil, including hatred, jealousy and selfishness.

At Saturday’s event, at Bolton Indian Sports Club, Hacken Lane, the 10 heads related to 10 challenges faced by the community and how they can be overcome, such as the need for education, narrowing gaps in inequality and making people aware of mental health issues.

Priya Narsai-Punam, project development officer at Bolton Hindu Forum, said: “It was a great event. People enjoyed the fireworks and coming together.

“The atmosphere was great. There was something for everyone. It was packed. The great thing was there were parents, children and grandparents. There was a mix of cultures. It was so nice just to see lots of different people.”

There were cultural performances, including North West Asian Art, a fair, food stalls, Rangoli workshops, at which colourful patterns were created, and the painting of diva lamps for people to take home and use with candles.

Divas, or diyas, are traditionally oil lamps lit to welcome the goddess Lakshmi into people’s homes during Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, which begins on Thursday, October 23.