THOUSANDS of Hindus and Sikhs in East Lancashire have been celebrating the annual Festival of Lights, Diwali.

The Festival of Lights ended yesterday with new year celebrations where people ask to be blessed with prosperity for the coming year.

Preparations began for Diwali, or Deepavali, on Saturday ready for Tuesday’s celebrations.

Diwali is a major Indian holiday which is celebrated across the world where lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being.

And traditionally Diwali celebrations in the UK are often marked with fireworks.

Madhu Bala Pandya, executive member of Blackburn Hindu Centre, said the festival was celebrated to mark Lord Ram’s return to his kingdom called Ayodhya after 14 years of exile in the forest where he defeated Ravan.

On his return he was welcomed by a row of lights.

A Diwali celebration has been organised in King George’s Hall, Blackburn, on Sunday to which the Mayor and councillors have been invited to attend.

Diwali is celebrated on the new moon day of the month Kartika and Hindus and Sikhs are now in the year 2065.