BASINGSTOKE and Deane's Mayor and Mayoress joined the Indian community for Navratri and Dusshera celebrations held in the town last weekend.

Cllr Paul Miller and mayoress Sandra Miller joined the community to take part in the festival, as Basingstoke families played traditional Indian dances – Garba, Dhandiya and Lezim.

Among the other attendees were Basingstoke and Deane Borough councillor Arun Mummalaneni and police community officers.

The celebrations, held at Carnival Hall, were organised by the Basingstoke Hindu Swayam Sevaks Sang committee.

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The Hindu community also donated £1,000, raised from Sewa Cricket tournament, to mayor's charity.

Organiser Kishor Patel said the Basingstoke event was held to promote religious and cultural harmony and to strengthen the relations within the community.

“It was a great opportunity for people to learn more about Hindu traditions and to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the occasion. The Hindu Society would like to express our gratitude to all those who supported the event and helped to make it a success.

“Our sincerest thanks go to the mayor and his wife for their dedicated presence to our functions including Dusshera.

“Held this year on the first weekend of October, the festival which celebrates the victory of good over evil also known as Vijayadashmi or Dusshera, had a religious ceremonial prayer (puja) before a grand statue of Mother Durga and other deities.”

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Navratri is a Sanskrit word that means nine nights. It is celebrated to worship the nine forms of Indian deity Durga. The festival is then followed by Dussehra, Dhanteras and Diwali, the festival of lights, later in October.

The celebrations included theatrical storytelling of the execution of the demon Mahasur at the hands of Mother Durga, was followed by the ritualistic burning of Ravana’s effigy symbolising the destruction of all that is evil.

The day ended with a community feast where everyone enjoyed delicious traditional foods.

The committee is also inviting people to attend the Diwali celebrations to held on Friday, October 21 in the town centre.