Thousands of people took to the streets for a procession to celebrate the grand opening of a new Hindu temple.

The parade marked the end of a week of celebrations for the official opening of the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, in Kingsbury.

Thousands from the temple community made their way from St Luke’s Hospice in Kenton Grange to the new temple with dhol drummers, costumed dancers and the temple's own Scottish pipe band.

Before starting the procession, the temple’s spiritual leader handed over a donation to the hospice of £30,000, the result of months of fundraising by the members of the temple.

Earlier in the year 14 members took part in the Great North Swim at Lake Windermere in the Lake District, and another 16 people took part in St Luke’s annual skydive.

Dancers and performers of all ages took part in the parade on Saturday afternoon, which included a dozen decorated floats.

The new temple in Kingsbury cost £20 million to build, with money raised by worshippers and through the sale of its previous site in Golders Green.

The new complex also includes a community centre which was opened earlier this year by Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

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