The Uttar Pradesh government on November 13 lit a record 5.84 lakh diyas (earthen lamps) on the banks of the River Saryu in Ayodhya on the occasion of Diwali. The event entered the Guinness Book of Records for the largest display of oil lamps.
The Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya began in the presence of Uttar Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel and chief minister Yogi Adityanath.
“Our generation is not only fortunate to see the start of the construction of a Ram temple here, but we also attended the historic event. In the struggle of 500 years, many saints passed away with a dream to see the start of construction. I thank PM Modi who is the one who implemented the ideology of Ram Rajya,” PTI quoted Adityanath as saying while addressing the ‘Deepotsav’ event.
“We have celebrated Deepotsav following all Covid-19 guidelines, we must follow the same during the construction of Ram Mandir. Let us pledge to observe ‘do gaj ki doori, mask hai zaroori’ during this Diwali,” he added, according to news agency ANI.
Earlier on August 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had performed the ‘bhoomi pujan’ of a Supreme Court-mandated Ram temple in Ayodhya.
11,000 earthen lamps were also lit at the Ram Janmabhoomi in the evening. A grand Aarti was also held at the Saryu River. The Deepotsav celebrations have already begun on November 11, 2020, and the city has also witnessed several Lord Ram statues on the theme Jan Jan Ke Ram (or Lord Ram for every person).
BJP government in Uttar Pradesh started Deepotsav celebration in Ayodhya after Yogi Adityanath became the chief minister in March 2017.
