NEW DELHI, Oct 30: The temple town of Ayodhya created two new world records on Wednesday lighting the largest number of earthen lamps on the occasion of Diwali. Ayodhya was alive with festivities on Wednesday as a procession featuring vibrant tableaux depicting characters from the Ramayana made its way through the temple town for the eighth “Deepotsav” celebration and the first since the consecration of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in January, this year.
Over 25 lakhs of earthen lamps were lit along the banks of the Saryu River to mark this occasion, setting a world record for the most diyas lit. Guinness World Record created for the most people performing ‘diya’ rotation simultaneously and the largest display of oil lamps with 25,12,585 achieved by Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh, District Administration, Ayodhya, surpassing its 2023 record of lighting 22.23 lakh diyas.
Ayodhya created another record of the largest number of 1,121 people performing the Saryu Arti.
“With over 25 lakh diyas lit, UP tourism, the state government, Ayodhya administration, and Dr Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University have set a world record,” a Guinness official said.
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led the celebrations, along with his cabinet members and others, as they lit the first few lamps to launch the Deepotsav. The 25 lakh diyas were placed and lit along the banks of the Saryu River, creating a breath-taking spectacle, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and fostering a spirit of unity.
Yogi Adityanath pulled a chariot carrying artists portraying Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman, symbolising Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with Deputy CMs Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya, was also present during the celebrations.
Flowers were showered from a helicopter on the artists enacting the roles of Lord Ram, Lakshman, and Sita. Eighteen tableaux, depicting episodes from Ramcharitmanas, were showcased during a procession which moved stately from Saket Mahavidyalaya to Ram Katha Park to the sound of firecrackers and bursts of gulal.
Participating in the eighth edition of Deepotsav, CM Adityanath said the transformation of Ayodhya is proof of “double-engine government delivering on its promise” – a reference to the BJP government in the state and at the Centre. He also said the occasion was historic as “after 500 years, Lord Ram is now in his abode in Ayodhya for Diwali.” “This is just the beginning and this beginning has to reach its logical conclusion. So by 2047, when the country celebrates 100 years of its independence, Kashi and Mathura must also shine like Ayodhya,” he said.
(Manas Dasgupta)
