Ayodhya Sets a World Record with 25 Lakh Diyas Illuminating Deepotsav 2024

New Delhi: Ayodhya, the spiritual center of Uttar Pradesh, witnessed a spectacular celebration this year as the annual Deepotsav event set a new world record. Over 25 lakh earthen lamps (diyas) were lit along the banks of the Sarayu River, creating a radiant scene that captured the spiritual essence of the holy city. With a final count of 25,12,585 diyas, the event not only set a world record but also served as a stunning symbol of unity and devotion, drawing people from across the country and beyond.

A Message of Light and Hope

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the event, describing it as “amazing, incomparable, and unimaginable.” In his online message, he congratulated the people of Ayodhya, calling the Deepotsav an emotional and spiritually uplifting experience. He said, "This Jyotiparva at the holy birthplace of Ram Lalla, illuminated by millions of diyas, fills our country with new enthusiasm and energy."

Cultural and Spiritual Showcase

The Deepotsav not only focused on lighting diyas but also celebrated India’s rich cultural heritage with performances by artists from six different countries. Artists from Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia joined the festival, presenting a vibrant display of traditional dances and music that showcased the global reverence for Ayodhya’s legacy. An impressive Ram Leela performance from Uttarakhand was also featured, offering a dramatic and reverent retelling of the Ramayana.

Chief Minister's Participation and Tableaux Displays

Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led the festival with an ‘aarti’ and took part in a chariot procession along with Ramayan artists, adding to the festival's grandeur. Saket Mahavidyalaya designed 18 beautiful tableaux, with 11 by the Information Department and seven by the Tourism Department, depicting various scenes from the Ramcharitmanas, including the Bal Kand, Ayodhya Kand, Aranya Kand, Kishkindha Kand, Sundar Kand, Lanka Kand, and Uttar Kand.

Jaiveer Singh, the Uttar Pradesh Minister for Tourism, expressed pride in the efforts made to enhance the event’s divinity, stating that this year’s Deepotsav, the first since the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Mandir, aimed to honor the spiritual and cultural importance of Ayodhya on a grand scale.

An Iconic Celebration of Faith and Culture

The Deepotsav 2024 was a profound and visually stunning celebration, marking a new chapter in Ayodhya’s history. With a world record of over 25 lakh diyas lighting up the Sarayu River, the event brought together faith, tradition, and community in a spectacle of light and reverence that will be cherished for years to come.