A evening of devotion, dance and celebration raised £15,000 for local charities ­— Boot out Breast Cancer, Homeless Aid UK and the Diwali Basket Brigade.

Each charity received £5000.

The Sharad Prunima Garba was held in Memory Lane Banquet Hall in Bolton recently at which more than 500 guests attended.

It was organised by Pravin Arjan of Sahil Enterprises and Sital Raja-Arjan MBE of House of Raja’s, Bolton.

Sharad Purnima Garba, traditionally a night of festivity during the Navratri season, is a celebration deeply rooted in devotion and cultural heritage.

The evening brought the vibrancy of India’s Navratri to Bolton with performances by the renowned Wythenshawe Garba  Band who support the event every year.

Organisers said that with the support of an army of volunteers, the event was a huge success, continuing its legacy of giving back to the community.

Over the years, Sharad Purnima Garba has raised over £48,000 for charitable causes in and around Bolton, making it a cornerstone event in the town’s cultural calendar.

Boot Out Breast Cancer is dedicated to raising money to purchase breast cancer diagnostic equipment for the NHS, ensuring that every penny raised is spent directly on life-saving equipment. The money will be spent at the Bolton Breast Unit.

Homeless Aid UK is grassroots organisation. Homeless Aid UK works tirelessly to combat homelessness across the UK, with teams in Bolton, Manchester, Leigh, Wigan, Bury and more. Their mission extends beyond providing shelter, also supplying food hampers and clothing to those in need.

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Debbie Dowie holds Boot out Breast Cancer Ladies Lunch Fundraiser

The Diwali Basket Brigade is a charitable initiative of The Diwali Foundation, to support socially deprived and vulnerable households, regardless of faith or background, by providing essential food hampers during the festive season since 2018.

In a statement the organisers, Pravin  and Sital , said "We are thrilled with the success of this year’s Garba. Our aim has always been to celebrate our cultural heritage while giving back to the community, and we couldn’t have done it without everyone’s incredible generosity," said Sital Raja-Arjan MBE.

"The event stands as a testament to Bolton’s spirit of unity, culture, and charity, and will continue to shine as a beacon of hope and joy for years to come. The next Sharad Purnima Garba is set for the 4th October 2025."

Thanks to Henry Lisowski for the pictures