ON PHOTO | 25 lakh diyas & mega aarti: Ayodhya enters Guinness World Records-wali Diwali – Firstpost

Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh presented a fascinating spectacle on the eve of Diwali. The celebrations, during which 25 lakh dinis (earthen lamps) were lit and 1,121 people performed aarti, also set two Guinness World Records. This is the first Diwali celebration for the temple town after the dedication of the Ram Mandir

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It was a wonderful moment; the moment is unforgettable.

We are talking about Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya on Wednesday (October 30), during which more than 25 lakh clay lamps (diyas) were lit and more than 1,121 people performed aarti.

The celebration of Diwali in the northern Indian temple town took on even greater significance this year as it was the first celebration of the Festival of Lights since the dedication of the Ram Mandir on January 22 this year.

**Deepotsav celebrations on the eve of Diwali in Ayodhya, India. This is the first Diwali celebration in Ayodhya after the dedication of Ram Mandir. AP**

The celebrations in Ayodhya also resulted in two Guinness World Records – the most people performing aarti at the same time and the largest display of oil lamps. Praveen Patel, Guinness World Records judge, who visited Ayodhya with Guinness consultant Nishal Bharot for verification, announced the new records.

Ayodhya saw the lighting of 25,12,585 clay lamps, the largest in the world. The previous record for the largest oil lamp showing was 22,23,676.

**Devotees light clay lamps on the banks of the Sariu River ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Ayodhya. AFP**

The second Guinness record is 1,121 vedacharyas (teachers of religious texts) performing aarti simultaneously.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the sight “amazing, incomparable and unbelievable”. “I sincerely congratulate the residents of Ayodhya on the great and divine Dipotsav! Illuminated by millions of acts, this Jyothiparva at the holy birthplace of Ram Lalla will be an emotional one. This ray of light emanating from Ayodhya Dham will fill my family members across the country with new enthusiasm and new energy,” the Prime Minister said in an online post.

**Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya were heartbreaking. From the Prime Minister to the common man, everyone was overwhelmed by the celebration. Image courtesy: @piyushgoyal/X**

**Have you ever seen anything as beautiful as this? This is what Ayodhya looked like on Wednesday, when it celebrated its eighth Dipotsava festival. AP**

During the celebrations, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the transformation of Ayodhya was proof that the “two-engine government is delivering on its promises” and said a similar transformation should also take place in Kashi and Mathura by 2047, when India celebrates its 100th anniversary. years of independence.

He said the transformation of Ayodhya was “just the beginning” and part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to develop the legacy of Sanatana Dharma and bring it to the world stage.

“This is the first festival of lights after 500 years since our beloved Lord Sri Ramlala was re-installed in his great temple. This divine and wonderful form of Sri Ayodhya Dham, illuminated with a wonderful and supernatural aura, makes us all experience the Treta Yuga. Today, Ayodhya is happy, all of India is proud. Heartiest congratulations to all Ram fans participating in ‘Deepotsav 2024’! Glory to Lord Ram! Adityanath said in a post on X.

**Devotees light ‘diyas’ (earthen lamps) near Ram ki Paidi during ‘Dipotsav 2024’ on the eve of Diwali festival in Ayodhya. Image courtesy: @piyushgoyal/X**

**People watch fireworks on the banks of Sariu River ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Ayodhya. AFP**

With the help of agencies