Edinburgh, Oct 16 : Over 2, 500 Hindus living in the United Kingdom celebrated the festival of Dussehra on Monday night.

“A spectacular display of fireworks and giant flaming effigies brought thousands of people onto Calton Hill,” the Scotsman.com reported.

Three giant effigies, 40 feet in height, built by Saughton Prison inmates, were set on fire.

"It has been great for the prisoners to be involved again this year and while there were a few problems getting the effigies up here it has been well worth it,” the website quoted Dan Gunn, the Governor of HM Prison Edinburgh, as saying.

"This is a festival about the triumph of good over evil, and hopefully some of my prisoners will realise that by helping out, they are also atoning for what they have done and helping to make a better society," he added.

The Ramlila parade featured the Lothian and Borders Pipe band, besides The Sunshine on Leith Pipes and Samba Band.

Tableaux with Hindu idols, horse-drawn carriages and youngsters dressed as monkeys and demons also participated in the march along Princes’ Street.

Alastair Paisley set the effigies alight by launching a flaming rocket.

"I was a bit nervous setting off the rocket, and I'm just glad someone else had aimed it for me!," the website quoted him, as saying.

Mohindra Dhall, president of the Scottish Indian Arts Forum said he was delighted it had all gone off well.

"I am really pleased, because it was a real struggle getting the effigies up here, and I was bit worried at one point,” Dhall said.

"I was delighted so many people came along and I was particularly happy that the Sunshine on Leith Pipes and Samba Band agreed to take part, as every year we try to get as many youngsters as possible involved," he added.

Inspector Eamonn Keane described it as a very good-natured celebration.

"This has been a very traditional spiritual celebration, which has been well organised," he said. (ANI)