Hindu students from across London joined a giant celebration at a school in Hayes during a joyous nine-day festival.

The National Hindu Students' Forum (NHSF) a non-profit organisation made up of volunteers to 'Protect, Preserve, Practice and Promote' the Hindu faith, organised a charity Garba event involving 16 London universities.

The National Hindu Students' Forum charity Garba event

More than 1,000 students, including from Brunel University in Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, joined the colourful festival marking the triumph of good over evil known as Navratri.

Garba is a form of dance that originated in the state of Gujarat in India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term Garbha, meaning womb and Deep, a small earthenware lamp, which is placed at the centre of the dancing circle.

The National Hindu Students' Forum charity Garba event

The dance is traditionally performed during Navratri - which means 'nine nights' and the students who came together at Barnhill Community High School in Yeading Lane, Hayes, on Wednesday, October 29, helped to raise £1,000 for charity.

Jaimal Patel, NHSF London Zone Coordinator, said: "The event was great and brought many young Hindus and those interested in the festival together.

"We raised £1000 for the charity we support called the Divya Sewa Foundation. They are a registered charity committed to empowering and working with underprivileged and marginalised communities in less developed countries.

"The Foundation works with disadvantaged children, orphans, the elderly and the destitute to provide them with better education, healthcare, clothing and an improved community life," he said.

The National Hindu Students' Forum charity Garba event

Worshippers at Adhya Shakti Mataji temple, in Cowley High Road,  Cowley  , also gathered for the festival, raising more than £6,000 for charity across the nine-days.