Parade celebrates 50 years of Hindu temple opening

Group picture of four Hindu women smiling at the event. One of them is wearing blue facepaint and top with an orange toga draped over a shoulder as she depicts the Hindu deity Lord Krishna. She holds up a flute and wears a multi-coloured headwrap plus gold-coloured necklaces and bangles. The three ladies around her wear identical blue, pink and purple saris.

The parade showcased stories from Hindu scriptures, featuring deities such as Lord Krishna

Rumeana Jahangir
BBC News, Lancashire

Hundreds of people have celebrated 50 years since the opening of one of the UK's first Hindu temples with a colourful procession.

Originally set up in a small terraced house in 1965, the Preston's Gujarat Hindu Society moved to its current building in the city's Broadgate in 1975.

A week-long event to mark the 50th anniversary culminated with a parade featuring storytelling, music and dancing.

Hindus from around the country attended the charismatic parade, which depicted stories from scriptures including the Ramayana.

The classical pillared front of Harris Hall rises in the backdrop above crowds on the left watching some women on the right as they perform a traditional dance in red and yellow saris below trees.

Crowds watched classical dances by The Harris hall

A group of more than six women in red and beige saris hold up golden-coloured vessels on their heads as they walk through a street past spectators, who are watching or taking pictures.

The event marked five decades since the official opening of the temple in Broadgate

Group images of two girls smiling as they clasp arms at the vent. The older girl wears a sparly multicoloured headdress and red bindi with a sparkly blue sari. The yonger girl wears a red and gold veil and top with silver tiara. Women and mean in colourful Indian outfits can be seen in the background under blue marquees.

The colourful parade came at the end of a week of celebrations

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