SOUTHAMPTON'S Hindu community celebrated Diwali - their equivalent to the Christian Christmas celebration - last night with a firework display and candlelit prayers.

Fifty businessmen met in the Vedic Society Temple in Radcliffe Road, Northam to say prayers that their businesses will be successful in the new year. This was followed by a 40-minute firework display.

About 500 people gathered for the event, which celebrated the day when Hindu god Lord Rama and his wife Sitaji returned from exile after 14 years to reclaim his kingdom.

Temple vice chairman Naresh Sonchatla said: "It was absolutely brilliant. The fireworks display was fantastic and we had people of all ages there - youngsters, middle-aged, teenagers and elders.

"Everybody was hugging each other and shaking hands and wishing each other a happy new year."

The Diwali celebrations continue today with private prayers and special family meals followed tonight by a feast at the temple.

Naresh said: "We're expecting 700-800 people in the temple. The committee will prepare a simple rice and curry but everyone who comes will bring a different dish.

"We will make a nice display with the food and then carry it into the hall where we will have a big feast."

The festival continues until the weekend.

Naresh said: "In India the whole week is a public holiday but in this country of course we have got to work. In the Hindu calendar we have numerous festivals but this is the occasion in the Hindu calendar celebrated all over the world - just like Christmas."

Muslims preparing for Ramadan

THOUSANDS of devout Muslims across the south are preparing to celebrate the start of Ramadan - the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.

The month, also known as the Fast of Ramadan, is celebrated as the time of the year when it is believed the Holy Quran was sent down from heaven as a guide for mankind.

Ramadan enjoys a special significance in the Islamic calendar and is used by devotees as a month for religious contemplation and prayer. The Islamic calendar is lunar-based so the month starts when the first sliver of a crescent, denoting the new moon, is visible. That was expected to be seen either overnight last night or tonight.

One of the best-known aspects of Ramadan is the fasting and abstinence observed by Muslims between sunrise and sunset throughout the month.

During the hours of daylight nothing aside from air should pass the lips of devotees meaning eating, drinking and smoking are all forbidden until the sun sinks beneath the horizon.

However, come darkness the fast is broken with a prayer and a meal called the Iftar.

Particular significance is given to the 27th night of Ramadan when Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr or the Night of Power, at which point it is believed the Prophet Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran from Allah.

Ramadan ends on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, which is marked by a three-day festival called Id-al-Fitr or the Feast of Fast Breaking.

Hundreds of people are expected to gather at Southampton's Central Mosque on Northlands Road in Northam to celebrate the start of Ramadan tonight.