MORE than 250 people gathered at one of Hampshire’s largest Hindu temples to celebrate the anniversary of Indian independence.

Saturday's event, at the Vedic Society Temple in Southampton’s Radcliffe Road, was compered by Adesh Joshi, a lecturer at Warsash Maritime Academy and Unity 101 radio presenter, who spoke about the achievement of India over the past 68 years.

Following a flag raising ceremony and the singing of the national anthem, children performed songs and dances.

After the performance all those attending, including Sikhs and Christians, enjoyed a meal together.

Secretary of the Vedic Society, Kavita Kapoor said that as well as teaching young members of the congregation about their cultural heritage, the events aim had been to “promote tolerance, love and peace – the core values of Hinduism.”

Kavita said she was keen for al creeds to attend events at the temple.

On September 5 the temple will be celebrating Krishna Janmashtami – the birthday of Lord Krishna, the biggest celebration in the Hindu calendar – which is open to all.

Festivities will include a meal between 7 and 9pm , followed by singing until midnight, when there will prayers and dancing to celebrate the reincarnation of Krishna, the supreme deity in Hinduism.

The next day the celebrations will continue with Nand Mahotsav during which there will be the symbolic breaking of an oven pot filled with white chocolate, which will be distributed to the children present, in remembrance of how the young Krishna would break pots in neighbouring houses to steal milk and butter to distribute to his friends.