Hundreds of people went through the door of a temple on Sunday to mark the anniversary of Buddha giving his teaching to the world.

Devotees visited the monks staying at the Redbridge Buddhist Cultural Centre, Balfour Road, Ilford.

They laid flowers in front of the Buddhist statue, lit candles and sandalwood sticks as well as singing hymns and meditating.

Celebrations, known as Dharma Day, mark the beginning of the rainy season where monks would retreat for three months for medication and reflection.

Venerable Pethigamuwe Hemaratana, a monk at the temple, said: “At the end of the three months there’s a special robbing ceremony.”