From the banks of the Ganges in India to the banks of the Atlantic here in Tenerife, the Hindu ceremony of peace and illumination brought together several cultures as lanterns and candles heralded sunset.

For Hindus the Ganga (Ganges as we know it) was brought to earth from heaven to make the land fertile and to wash away our sins. It is also known as the divine mother, which is why the Tenerife Hindu Association chose Spanish mothers day to hold their ceremony on Playa La Enramada in La Caleta.

I was very impressed at the efforts they had made to reach out to all communities in Tenerife, with open invites via newspapers and posters, and the whole event was conducted in Spanish and English. Mayor Fraga of Arona was an honoured guest but the main man was H.H Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatsi, one of the most revered religious leaders from India.

Maybe that all sounds a bit formal, but it was very much a celebration, with music and dance telling the story of the Ganga, and children chatting and playing in the sand. Speakers kept their contribution light and humourous as those seated in front of the stage were joined by hundreds more milling around the edges and skirting the shore as the sun sunk lower.

The candles were actually wicks in ghee, a form of purified butter,and as well as being held, some were placed in small hollows in the sand just beyond the reach of the tide. For the climax, the aarti, the Swami led the dignitaries from the stage down to the waters edge and he held aloft his burning lantern from a smaller stage looking out to sea. This was the signal for a forest of flames to flicker brightly as prayers were said for future peace and healing.

It was great to see such a diverse range of cultures and ages all come together, Tenerife is quite a melting pot of nationalities and beliefs, and these open events will certainly bring us just that bit closer.