HUNDREDS of people from across the south descended on a Southampton temple for an evening of colourful celebrations to mark the Hindu New Year.

They enjoyed traditional music and dancing and a sumptuous feast of dozens of dishes to mark Bestu Varash at the Vedic Society Hindu Temple in Northam.

About 600 people of all ages enjoyed the festivities last night, which followed Diwali on Monday.

The event began with business people offering prayers to Laxmi Puja, the goddess of good fortune and wealth.

Dozens of dishes that had been prepared by temple worshippers were then blessed before everyone tucked in to enjoy the feast.

Naresh Sonchatla, vice-chairman of the temple, said: "We had a great ceremony and the evening was very colourful.

"Everyone was dressed up very nicely and everyone sat down together to enjoy the food.

"The management committee here worked very hard to prepare for this and everything went very well.

"It's a very big event and everyone seemed very happy."

The celebrations marked new beginnings after the return of Lord Rama from 14 years of exile in the jungle to reclaim his kingdom.

He was sent from the city of Ayodhya to the jungle by his father at the wish of one of his wives.

Mr Sonchatla said: "For 14 years no one celebrated anything and lived in near darkness.

"Only minimal lighting was used and there was no dancing or celebrating until he came back."

About 500 people attended a Diwali event on Monday at the temple in Radcliffe Road, which was rounded off with a spectacular fireworks display.