THE Hindu festival of light was celebrated during a cross community event at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple, in Golders Green, on Saturday.

More than 350 people, including politicians, religious leaders and residents, joined the Diwali festivities, which featured traditional dances, music and a “mouthwatering” mountain of Indian cuisine.

The aim of the event was to create community harmony and organisers said the guests were “dazzled by spectacular tastes, colours, sounds and euphoria of Diwali and the Hindu New Year”.

Temple Trustee Dr Mahesh Varsani, said: “This annual event is highly anticipated in the local community and this year’s event was an unprecedented success with a greater turnout than ever before.

“This sort of pioneering event shows Diwal is becoming a more universally inclusive event not just in the Hindu Calendar but in the mainstream calendars of the World.”

More than 60 councillors from the boroughs of Barnet and Brent, along with 300 residents, from Jewish, Christian, Buddhist and Muslim backgrounds, were entertained by 100 volunteers from the Temple.

Henna painting, traditional costumes, and classical Indian instruments were all on show, and Muks Rabadia, spokesman for the Temple, said it was important for the community to share cultural experiences while living together.

He said: “It went really well and a lot of people felt part of the celebrations.

“The atmosphere was really friendly and there was lots of interaction with the guests. It has been the aim of the Temple over the past ten years to get the community involved.

“We want to be a Temple, not just limited to one religion, but we want people to come along and celebrate events with us.”

MP for Finchley and Golders Green, Mike Freer, Councillor Brian Coleman, and Deputy Mayor of London Richard Barnes donned the outfits of the Hindu Scottish pipe band while others wore decorative garlands and were marked with henna paintings.

Mr Barnes said: “English culture and Gujarati culture are closer than I realised. You are to be congratulated on this fabulous display.

“This is the first time ever I have been to this temple. This event is a pure example of a gift by the community for the community.”