Diwali Mela: Over 1,000 people join festivities in Southampton

Celebrating the Hindu festival of lights, Oasis Academy Lords Hill hosted musical performances, fashion shows, and the Ramayana play – Ramlila.

Food and accessory stalls were also on offer as the Hindu community from across Southampton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, and as far away as London ventured to the six-hour-long celebration.

Rajan Jolly, founder of Eastleigh and Southampton Asian Community (ESAC), helped organise the festivities with his wife Meenakshi.

He told the Echo: “Diwali parties are happening all over the world and we wanted to have our own event to bring people together in the local community, where people can have a party and showcase our culture.

“I think nobody thought to have one in Southampton before!

“This is the first Diwali Mela – which means festival – on the south coast and we’ve had around 1,500 people turn up – the theatre is sold out to watch the fashion show and Ramlila, so we couldn’t be happier.”

READ MORE: Southampton to host first public Diwali Mela festival

The event, which started at around midday on Sunday, was also in aid of 12-year-old Ansh Agrawala who needs life-changing surgery to walk without the assistance of a frame.

Rajan added: “The NHS is helping but if we can help him get the finances he needs – which in total is £30,000 – we want to help wherever we can.”

Sarika Khurana also co-organised the event.

She said: “It’s been lovely to bring everyone together.

“This hasn’t been done before on such a large scale on the south coast and we’ve got such a good response from people, which goes to show this sort of thing has been missing.

“A few months ago, nobody could have imagined this and now we’re here.”

She added: “We’re very grateful and very thankful.

“People have come from all over to be with us and we didn’t necessarily expect that.

“I have colleagues who have come from as far away as Chelmsford.

“It’s given everyone something to look forward to.”