Ayodhya Deepotsav 2023 sets Guinness World Record as over 22 lakh ‘diyas’ illuminate
‘The Deepotsav tradition in Ayodhya began with the formation of the ‘Yogi Adityanath government in 2017. Beginning with 51,000 diyas in 2017, the number went up to 4.10 lakh in 2019, over 6 lakh in 2020, and more than 9 lakh in 2021, setting a Guinness World Record.
A total of 25,000 volunteers lit 22,23 lakh diyas (earthen lamps) at 51 ghats of Ram Ki Paidi along the river; this is 6.47 lakh more than last year.
After Guinness Book of World Records representatives, who used drones to count the lamps, announced the title of the world record, Ayodhya erupted with the chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Since the city was given the award yesterday, social media has been buzzing with posts appreciating the visual spectacle from Ayodhya. Diplomats from 54 countries also attended the grand celebration in Ayodhya.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday shared pictures of ‘Deepotsav’ in Uttar Pradesh’s temple town Ayodhya and termed the celebrations as “amazing, supernatural and unforgettable”.
Sharing the pictures of the ‘Deepotsav’ events, PM Modi wrote on the microblogging site X (formerly Twitter), “Amazing, supernatural and unforgettable! The whole country is becoming illuminated with the grand festival of lights of Ayodhya City illuminated with millions of lamps. The energy emanating from this is spreading new zeal and enthusiasm throughout India”.
UP Governor Anandiben Patel, State Ministers Rakesh Sachan and Jaiveer Singh, and UP Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, among others, attended the aarti.
