THERE was a wet but well-attended celebration at one Southampton temple last night.

The Vedic Society’s annual Diwali event went off with a bang as hundreds of worshippers made their way to Radcliffe Road for an impressive firework display.

And there were some guests of honour at this year’s ceremony, as naval officers stepped inside a Hindu Temple for the very first time.

The Royal Navy’s Lieutenant Commanders Jo Shipley and Heather Lane and Chief Petty Officer Sue Emery had been invited in advance of a Royal Navy event which takes place next week.

Lt Cmdr Lane said: “It’s in the spirit of reciprocity. It’s the first time the navy command will be leading a Diwali ceremony for the armed forces Hindu network”.

The Vedic Society’s president Ravi Parmar - who has been in post 12 years and twice as vice - said the festival is all about the return of light to the world.

Based on the Hindu lunar calendar, it always takes place around October. He said: “Diwali is about letting the light remove any darkness from within you.

"Where there is light there can’t be any darkness.

"Everybody has their battles that they are fighting. It comes from when our Lord Rama returned from exile having fought the demon Ravana.

"That’s why we have Diwali - to bring the light back into our lives”.