New Delhi: The holy city of Ayodhya was illuminated like never before as over 25 lakh earthen lamps were lit along the banks of the Sarayu River during this year’s Deepotsav, setting a new world record. Aiming for 28 lakh diyas, the organizers achieved a precise total of 25,12,585 lamps, creating a breathtaking golden glow that symbolized the city’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the spectacle as “amazing, incomparable, and unimaginable.” In a heartfelt post, he congratulated Ayodhya’s people, expressing that the “Jyotiparva” at Lord Ram’s birthplace would fill families nationwide with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and energy.
This year’s Deepotsav featured international artists from Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia, as well as a traditional Ram Leela performance from Uttarakhand. Artists from across India contributed to the cultural showcase. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led the aarti and participated in the grand chariot procession, adding to the festival’s spiritual fervor.
Eighteen intricate tableaux were crafted by Saket Mahavidyalaya, with scenes from Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas presented by the Tourism Department, capturing key episodes from the Bal Kand to the Uttar Kand.
Uttar Pradesh Minister Jaiveer Singh emphasized the special significance of this Deepotsav, being the first since the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir, remarking on efforts to bring unparalleled grandeur and sanctity to the event.
