THE Festival of Lights was celebrated with the local Hindu community wishing the people of Bolton a happy Diwali.

More than 1,000 people gathered at Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple.

Diwali celebrates the return of deities Rama and his wife Sita from Ayodha exile of 14 years after an evil demon was destroyed and their path was lit up by villagers welcoming their home.

The festival signifies the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

In Bolton Diwali celebrations started early October with the burning of the effigy of Ravana, the evil demon.

Yesterday they culminated in a huge festival celebrating Diwali and the start of the Hindu New Year.

Niharika Vishram, who helped decorated the temple for Diwali, said: “We have had over 1,000 people here.

“Everybody wears their best clothes, and everyone who attends is given food to take away and can stay for a meal.”

She added: “It takes a lot of preparation and temples all over the world and across Bolton will be doing the same thing.”

Special food blessed by the Gods called Prasad - is then distributed during the meal, with everything having been cooked in the temple’s kitchens.

Niharika added: “As it is Halloween, we also carved some pumpkins too.”

Hiralal Bhudia, of the Shree Swaminarayan Yuvak Mandal, Bolton, said: “Preparations have been taking place for the past six weeks.”