HUNDREDS of members of Hampshire’s Hindu community gathered to celebrate one of their religion’s most important gods.

A special event was held at Southampton’s Vedic Society temple a the weekend to celebrate the deity Hanuman.

People travelled from as far as London, Coventry and Birmingham to join Hindus from Hampshire at the event.

During the gathering the crowd sang the Hanuman Chalisa – a hymn celebrating the deity – 108 times.

The number is significant in the Hindu faith as it represents the universe.

Offerings of traditional Hindu sweets were also made throughout the day.

Avinash Sharma, 39, from Totton who helped to organise the event, said more than 300 people attended the event at the temple in Radcliffe Road.