Ayodhya's Deepotsav Illuminates City With Record-Breaking 22 Lakh Diyas

During the 'Deepotsav' celebration on the eve of Diwali, Ayodhya set a new record by lighting over 22 lakh diyas (lamps) across 51 ghats in the city.

"Today, the holy land of Shri Ayodhya, illuminated with more than 22 lakh divine lamps, is giving a feeling of supernatural joy," Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Saturday night (11 November) in an X post.

"Today, it is our prayer that the 'light' generated from the divine festival of lights should enhance the 'limits' of equality, harmony, spirituality and human values ​​in the lives of the people of the state. Jai Jai Shri Ram!" he added.

The Deepotsav programme in Ayodhya commenced at 3 pm, inaugurated by the Chief Minister.

The tradition of lighting diyas in Ayodhya started in 2017 when the Adityanath government came to power.

It began with 51,000 diyas and has since grown exponentially, reaching 4.10 lakh in 2019, over 6 lakh in 2020, and surpassing 9 lakh in 2021.

That last achievement received a Guinness World Records recognition.

In 2022, over 17 lakh diyas brightened the ghats of 'Ram ki Pairi'. However, only the diyas that stayed lit for at least five minutes were recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records, resulting in a record-breaking number of 15.76 lakh diyas.

During the Deepotsav event, Chief Minister Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel participated in the symbolic act of pulling a chariot, representing Lord Ram's legendary return after 14 years of exile.

Adityanath also performed the symbolic coronation of Lord Ram, and a coffee table book documenting the Deepotsav of Ayodhya was unveiled.

The Deepotsav festival in Ayodhya this year is the seventh such occurrence. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the event last year.

"Hearty congratulations to all the Ram devotees who had the privilege of participating in the holy 'Deepotsav 2023' organized in Ayodhya, the most beloved city of Maryada Purushottam Prabhu Shri Ram!" Chief Minister Adityanath said in another X post.