AYODHYA, Uttar Pradesh (October 30, 2024) — Over 25 lakh earthen lamps were lit on the banks of the River Saryu during the Deepotsav celebrations on Diwali eve, marking the first Deepotsav since the consecration of the Ram temple in January. The event took place on Wednesday and aimed to showcase the cultural and spiritual essence of Ayodhya.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led the celebrations by lighting the first few lamps, joined by cabinet members and local officials.
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Two new Guinness World Records were established during the Deepotsav celebrations, including the largest display of oil lamps and the most people performing diya rotation simultaneously. These records were achieved through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the District Administration of Ayodhya.
The festivities were particularly meaningful for the people of Ayodhya, coming nine months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Ram Mandir by consecrating an idol of Lord Ram. The Guinness World Records team presented a certificate to Adityanath, recognizing the extraordinary feat, which was monitored in real-time by drone cameras to ensure compliance with stringent guidelines.
To ensure public safety, approximately 10,000 security personnel were deployed across the city, with half in plain clothes. A special arrangement was made with 80,000 diyas arranged in the shape of a swastika at ghat no. 10, symbolizing auspiciousness and serving as a central attraction for the event.