by Ashis Sinha
Ayodhya: This Diwali, Ayodhya is preparing for an unprecedented celebration, aiming to illuminate over 2.5 million lamps during its annual Deepotsav festivities. The decoration of 55 ghats along the Sarayu River is nearing completion, with a special viewing gallery at Ram Ki Paidi being constructed to accommodate 10,000 attendees.
This year, the Deepotsav is poised to break last year’s record of 1.5 million lamps, with plans to light more than 2 million across the ghats. SS Mishra, the Nodal Officer for Deepotsav, announced that a grand representation of Lord Ram will be displayed in a specially designed palace setting, supported by over 32,000 volunteers from Awadh University.
Notably, this year’s celebration marks the first since the consecration of Balak Ram in the temple, adding to its historic significance. On the eve of Diwali, October 30, Ayodhya will attempt a world record with 30,000 participants lighting approximately 2.8 million lamps simultaneously. A team from Guinness World Records will be on-site on October 29 to oversee the event, employing drones for accurate counting.
In total, the festivities aim to light 2.5 million diyas along the banks of the Saryu River, with an additional 1 million diyas illuminating other areas, bringing the grand total to an impressive 3.5 million. Prominent figures, including Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, are expected to partake in rituals honoring Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lord Lakshman, with a symbolic coronation ceremony for Lord Ram enhancing the event’s cultural and spiritual significance.
Ayodhya has a history of setting new records in recent years, with previous counts of 301,000 diyas in 2018, 404,000 in 2019, 606,000 in 2020, 941,000 in 2021, 1.57 million in 2022, and 2.23 million in 2023. Tourism Officer Rajendra Prasad Yadav confirmed that this year’s Deepotsav is on track to establish a new record with 3.5 million diyas. A record-setting Maha Aarti on the Saryu River will also see 1,100 participants perform the ritual.
“Preparations are complete, and the selection of participants for the aarti is nearly finalized in collaboration with esteemed saints, mahants, and local community members,” Yadav stated.
In a bid to elevate the festivities, Ayodhya is constructing ten grand cultural stages, bringing to life scenes from the Treta Yuga using advanced technology. The main event on October 30 will feature performances at iconic locations, including Ram Path, Ram Katha Park, and the banks of the Saryu River. A highlight will be a mobile procession featuring 30 artists reenacting pivotal moments from the Ramayana, with a helicopter arrival symbolically recreating the descent of Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman.
During the celebrations, Minister Jaiveer Singh will unveil a new Tourism Department app and a beautifully crafted coffee table book. The festivities will also showcase vibrant Ram Leela performances by artists from Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Nepal, alongside a grand procession featuring 250 local artists performing traditional folk dances.
“This dynamic and culturally rich Diwali in Ayodhya will blend tradition, spirituality, and global cultural exchange, setting a new standard with the mass lighting of diyas,” the minister concluded.