Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram, recently marked its first "Deepotsav" since the consecration of the Ram Temple, lighting over 2.5 million diyas along the River Saryu.
Deepotsav, a five-day festival celebrating Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile, has grown into a grand spectacle since its inception in 2017, showcasing the city's rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
This spectacular event set a new Guinness World Record, surpassing the previous record of 2,223,000 diyas.
A night to remember - the sky shone brighter than ever - #Deepotsav2024!#Deepotsav #Deepotsav2024 #AyodhyaDeepotsav #DeepotsavAyodhya #UPTourism #UttarPradesh #Ayodhya #ShriRam #Ram #Rama #ReligiousTourism @MukeshMeshram pic.twitter.com/KjmJdniTAU
— UP Tourism (@uptourismgov) October 30, 2024
On October 30, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath led the festivities, lighting the first diyas alongside other cabinet ministers.
A total of 2,512,585 diyas were illuminated on Ram ki Paidi and 54 other ghats, creating a stunning visual display.
In addition to the diya lighting, another Guinness World Record was achieved with 1,121 ‘vedacharyas’ (teachers of religious texts) performing Saryu aarti simultaneously.
CM Yogi Adityanath received certificates for these remarkable achievements during the celebrations.
The event saw the involvement of around 30,000 volunteers from Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, who helped light the diyas along the city's 55 ghats.
To enhance the festive atmosphere, a laser and drone show depicted scenes from the Ramayan, while cultural performances featured artists from six countries, including Nepal, Thailand, and Malaysia.
As part of India's vibrant Diwali celebrations, which symbolize the victory of light over darkness, this year's Deepotsav drew millions of devotees and tourists, creating an unforgettable experience in Ayodhya.