Around a thousand people attended the biggest event in Bolton Hindu Forum’s history to celebrate the festival of Dusshera.

A huge effigy of the 10-headed demon-king Ravana was burned to symbolise the destruction of evil during celebrations held at Bolton Cricket Club in Farnworth.

The family event featured live entertainment, food and fairground rides as well as the largest firework display so far in the history of the celebration held annually in Bolton.

Youngsters dressed up and marched in the army parade of Lord Rama, a major deity of Hinduism who was the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu.

Paras Agravat, Bolton Hindu Forum project manager and one of the event organisers, said that the “packed” event was received very positively.

He said: “This is the biggest one we have ever done. There was a great response from the community. It was great to see everyone attend and get involved.”

The festival of Dusshera marks the start of preparations for Diwali, the festival of lights, which begins this year on Wednesday November 7.

Mr Agravat said that the annual celebrations are put on for and enjoyed by everyone in Bolton, not just the Hindu community.

The event in Farnworth was also the launch of the first Bolton Light Festival.

A series of illuminating events are planned for the festival by communities across Bolton culminating in the Christmas lights switch-on lantern parade on November 22.

Bolton Hindu Forum will hold another event as part of the Bolton Light Festival on Saturday.

Sharad Purnima Na Garba 2018 at Albert Halls in Victoria Square will host the Kalla Shree Music Group from Rajkot, India from 7pm until midnight on October 27.

Tickets cost £6 and money raised will go towards Bolton Hospice.
For more information call Bolton Hindu Forum on 01204 238018.