A BOLTON temple was transformed into a rural Indian village to commemorate a 200-year-old event.

The Swaminarayan Mandir, Deane Road, has recreated the Shak Utsav to mark the occasion when Lord Swaminarayan fed the masses in the village of Loya in Gujarat, India.

He decided to cook the meal with his own hands and feed his disciples and the people of Loya to demonstrate the virtues of selfless service for the benefit of the poor and the needy.

He cooked an aubergine curry which required 360kg of ghee and 1,200kg of aubergines.

Young and old people from the temple have recreated a village scene from 200 years ago using props shipped over from India.

It is part of the annual visit by spiritual leader and Guru, His Holiness Shree Acharya.

Members of the public are invited to visit the village scene this evening, from 6pm, when there will be a special celebration, or each day from 8am until 11am, until next Sunday.