Around 700 women and young girls came together for a colourful mass gathering to express friendship and sisterhood.

Hosted by the Kent Saheli Group (KSG), the group converged on Fort Gardens in Gravesend to pray, sing and dance for the Teeyan folk festival which originated from the Punjabi region of India.

The annual extravaganza has grown year after year and now attracts women of all religions, cultures and races from across Kent and London

Guests dressed in traditional attire and a feast of Indian sweet and savoury snacks were on offer throughout the afternoon and early evening on Sunday.

Women and girls of all generations attended and participated in presenting the day's programme.

The group was started by Daya Kans in 1991 with about a dozen Asian women in the Gravesend area and one of its main aims was to combat isolation in the community.

Daya said: “Some women could only speak a few words of English when they arrived to the UK.

“The group encourages socialising and encourages self-confidence. It is dedicated to empowering women of all backgrounds.”

It also promotes well-being through yoga and meditation and sports activities such as badminton.

It became a registered charity in 2008 and since then has organised events all over Kent to foster social interaction.

This year, researchers from the University of Kent presented their ongoing research about the mental health of the Sikh community in Kent and engaged with attendees.

Gravesham councillor Jenny Wallace also gave a speech about the importance of the event and unity among women.

A symbolic moment came when participants gathered around a mature tree to offer prayers to Mother Nature for prosperity and health.

The festival concluded with a traditional Giddha folk dance performed by the Kent group.

The dance is just as energetic as bhangra; at the same time, it manages to creatively display feminine grace, elegance and flexibility.

Due to popular demand, a Teeyan festival will be staged at Central Park Open Air Theatre in Dartford on Sunday, August 18.

The key organisers of the event are Daya Kans, founder and president, Sandeep Khatkar, general secretary, Manpreet Kingra, chairperson, Kam Sandhu, vice chairperson, Sharan Atwal, treasurer, and Binda Kaur, keep fit and administration officer.