A popular festival made a bold and bright return to Southampton this weekend.

Thousands of people celebrated the Hindu Festival of lights, Diwali Mela, on Saturday.

Boasting delicious Indian cuisine cooked locally, henna painting and an impressive parade, the festival was packed.

Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness and is a major religious festival for people of the Hindu, Sikh and Jain faiths.

Rajan Jolly, founder of Eastleigh and Southampton Asian Community, organised the event at Bitterne Park School.

Rajan Jolly, founder of Eastleigh and Southampton Asian Community (Image: Newsquest)This was his second year at the helm of the event, which continues to grow.

The 50-year-old said: “We have similar numbers to last year, but I would say we have about 10 per cent more people here today.

“The event is free, but we sell tickets for the Ramleela – a traditional play – and fashion show with a suggested donation to our chosen charity, The Foodbank Angels of Southampton.

“We had more than 200 tickets and sold out in under 20 minutes.

“This festival is celebrated a lot in places like London, but nothing was ever really done in Southampton.

“We wanted to bring out the celebration here in Southampton, and all the people serving food or selling items on stalls are local to the city.

“There are so many local people with talent here and we really want to embrace that.”

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The family event was home to a variety of food stalls serving popular Indian snacks and dishes, including authentic homemade Diwali Mithai.

Traditional Indian dresses, handicrafts, henna, and jewellery were also available, along with items made by Indian small entrepreneurs Diwali Bazaar and Sarika Kreates.

But the event itself was more than about eating, dancing and celebrating – it was all for a good cause.

(Image: Newsquest) Rajan said: “The entire event is in aid of The Foodbank Angels of Southampton.

“This charity is such a noble cause and everything we do here today is for them.

“They are the best charity in my eyes, and they take food to the homeless and those who need it directly.”

Michelle Simpson, from Southampton, returned to the event after enjoying it last year.

She said: “I like to come along to Diwali and I enjoy seeing all the characters in the parade.

“I really like the fact we have this event in Southampton.

“Plus, I can buy the Indian sweets I like here. Usually, I have to make a trip to St Mary’s to get them.”

Lorna Fielker, leader of Southampton City Council, was also in attendance.

She said: “The Diwali Mela is another one of those great community festivals which Southampton is known for.

“It is wonderful to see hundreds of people coming together to celebrate Indian culture.”