Hampshire's Hindu community united for one of the faith's most important and colourful festivals.

More than 150 people gathered at the Vedic Society Hindu Temple in Radcliffe Road for the festival Ram Navami.

Worshippers arrived in colourful saris and traditional attire for a day of prayers, dancing and food.

The festival is celebrated on the ninth day of the first month of the Hindu calendar and marks the culmination of the spring festival of Vasanta.

Daily Echo:

It mark's the birthday of Ram who was the God of respect and known for living a simple life.

Bells were rung and people left offerings of flowers and fruit in front of shrines lit up by candles and lights as incense filled the air.

It marked the end of chanting of ancient scriptures which began at 11am the previous day and lasted 24 hours.

Daily Echo:

Guests also ate traditional Indian food including curry and sweets.

Priest Ritesh Bhatt said: "it has been very colourful and there is a good energy.

"It's brought the community together and the temple is like a home away from home."