MORE than 250 members of Swindon’s Hindu community came together to celebrate 30 years of honouring goddess Kali Mata Puja.

The festival took place at the Punjabi Community Centre and Swindon mayor Junab Ali was in attendance.

To commemorate the day members of Swindon Sanatan Association fasted as a demonstration of worship, which was followed by a fireworks display.

The evening ended with Bollywood song and dance.

Sumon Roy, vice-president of the association, said: “It was another memorable and special occasion that brought us all together to celebrate Kali Mata Puja.

“Every year we do this worship to be blessed, in the hope that the world will be brought peace. We are trying to bring the community, not only Hindus, together. Puja is a festival for everybody to enjoy and celebrate.

“There were endless hours of worship, glorious food, dancing and music to pay tribute to the goddess who is known for fighting evil."

Worshippers meditate throughout the night until dawn in the belief that all evil will be destroyed.

President Debashis Saha and general secretary Sujan Saha also helped organise the event.