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Ayodhya: The Deepotsav festival in Ayodhya once again made a world record. Ramnagari broke this record for the seventh time in a row. Ayodhya has set a new Guinness world record by lighting over 22.23 lakh ‘Diyas’ (earthen lamps) during ‘Deepotsav 2023’. The Guinness Book of World Records team announced this global achievement after a drone calculation. During the Deepotsav, 24 lakh ‘diyas’ (earthen lamps) will be lit on Ram ki Pairi. The temple town broke its world record of 15.76 lakh Diyas lit last year on the Diwali eve.
Adityanath said the government is investing crores of rupees to build the city and transform Ayodhya in anticipation of the construction of the Ram Mandir. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the Deepotsav and said, “when the programme for the Deepotsav began, it felt as if every person had only one wish and that was the construction of the temple (Ram Temple)…”
“The construction of lord Ram’s temple (Ram Temple) strengthens the foundation of ‘Ram Rajya’, which was established in India by Prime Minister Modi in the last 9.5 years.” The Uttar Pradesh Government’s ‘Grand Deepotsav’ was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records after representatives from the organisation witnessed and acknowledged the achievement of lighting an unprecedented number of lamps simultaneously at a single location.
In the meantime, worshippers at Ayodhya’s Ram Janamabhoomi offered prayers to Lord Ram Lalla. Among other celebrations, eighteen tableaux, themed on the Ramayana, the Ramcharitmanas and various social issues, were part of a procession taken out ahead of the seventh Deepotsav on the eve of Diwali.
The procession, which also had performances by folk artistes and ‘aartis’, started from the Udaya Square and passed through various parts of the city to reach the Ram Katha Park. It was flagged off by Uttar Pradesh Minister of Tourism and Culture Jaiveer Singh, according to a statement.
The parade began at Udaya Square and travelled across the city to arrive at Ram Katha Park. It featured performances by folk artists and “aartis.” According to reports, Jaiveer Singh, the minister of tourism and culture for Uttar Pradesh, initiated it. The statement said that the tableaux were made by the state’s tourism and information departments.
The tableaux were themed on issues such as children’s rights and basic education, women’s safety and welfare, self-reliance, protection of forest and environment, and science and technology. They also showcased different government initiatives. From 51,000 diyas in 2017 to 4.10 lakh in 2019, over 6 lakh in 2020, and over 9 lakh in 2021, the number of diyas established a Guinness World Record.
There were also floats inspired by the Ramcharitmanas and the Ram Katha, some also depicted the Shabari-Ram Milap and Lanka Dahan. Not only from Uttar Pradesh, but artistes from across the country, participated in the procession. People from across Ayodhya had gathered along roads to witness performances, including folk dances of different states.
Singh said, “Ram Nagari (Ayodhya) will host the Deepotsav celebration. A new record for lighting the most diyas in the world will be set once more. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will perform Lord Ram’s coronation during this festival of lights.””The most important aspect will be the presence of diplomats from 50 major countries during Lord Ram’s coronation,” he said and added that Diwali reminds everyone of the ‘Tretayug’, when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan.
He said,”Ayodhya is the cherished jewel of India, and the cultural message emanating from this celebration will resonate on the global stage, conveying the essence of the Sanatan culture of India.”
The Deepotsav tradition in Ayodhya began with the formation of the Yogi Adityanath government in 2017. The Guinness Book of World Records only included diyas that remained lit for five minutes or longer, hence the record for the most diyas lit across the ghats of Ram ki Pairi in 2022 was 15.76 lakh. On behalf of Guinness Book of World Records, Executive Swapnil Dangarikar and Consultant Nischal Barot announced the new record from the stage and handed over the certificate to Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. During this, Ram Ki Padi echoed with the shouts of Jayashree Ram in the presence of more than 10,000 people.
