Ayodhya Deepotsav 2023: Ayodhya on Saturday broke its own Guinness World Record by lighting over 22,23,000 diyas (earthen lamps) to mark the Deepotsav celebrations on Diwali eve. Ayodhya has been celebrating Deepotsav on Diwali for the past seven years. This year, the target is to light 24 lakh diyas at 51 ghats. Besides this, several other programs marked the Deepotsav including fireworks, processions carrying various tableaux themed on the Ramayana, the Ramcharitmanas and various social issues. As part of the celebration, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Path was also decorated with different types of flowers for Deepotsav 2023.
CM Adityanath participates in Deepotsav celebrations
UP CM Yogi Adityanath visited Ayodhya and participated in Rajabhishek ahead of Deepotsav. He along with Governor Anandiben Patel welcomed artists portraying lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman near Ram Katha Park.
Later, Adityanath was also seen performing 'Aarti' during Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya.
Earlier today, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reached Ayodhya today. High commissioners and ambassadors of over 50 countries witnessed the Deepotsav celebrations. Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were also present at the event.
Tribals from Jharkhand to take part:
Around 48 tribal people from the Pakur district of Jharkhand have arrived in Ayodhya to celebrate Deepotsav. The people of this tribe reside in the mountainous region and have come to Ayodhya barefooted to attend the grand Deepotsav.
The Jharkhand Pradesh Shri Ram Janaki Charitable Service Trust has sent them to participate in the Deep Utsav at Ayodhya city.
Tomorrow (November 12), they will light the lamp in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in their traditional attire. The people from the Pakur district have come to Ayodhya for the first time. Earlier, the people from the Santhali community came to witness Diwali in Ayodhya.
Login to light a ‘diya’ at Deepotsav:
People can now be a part of Deepotsav in Ayodhya by paying a sum as low as Rs 51 for a diya to Rs 1,100 for 51 diyas. The only difference will be that their diya will be illuminated at a designated place picked by them, at the click of the mouse at the virtual space developed by Ayodhya Development Authority for the purpose.
The dedicated portal- which will play e-Deepotsav- has been set up for people who want to take part in the mega event from far-off places. The portal also offers live feed of the events unfolding in Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) on the occasion of Deepotsav. A special online programme has been prepared to connect the worshippers of Lord Rama from India and abroad with the Deepotsav, said RP Yadav, deputy director, tourism department.
“The idea is to let people buy e-lamps by booking packages in this e-Deepotsav and feel connected with the noble event,” he said.
While one can buy a lamp for Rs 51, 11 lamps Rs 101, 21 for Rs 501 and 51 for Rs 1,100, those who are making the booking will be able to click and light the lamp from their homes at Ram Ki Paidi, Saryu Ghats, Mutts, Temples and other religious places. Along with this, prizes like lamps, cardamom seeds or 'laddu' prasad, model of Ram temple, souvenirs of Ramnami Gamcha, Ram Darwar, etc., will be sent to them by courier as per the package, he added.
Devotees can be a part of e-Deepotsav by logging at ‘Holy Ayodhya Portal' (https://holyayodhya.com/).
World record in Ayodhya:
Yogi Adityanath government once again attained new world record by lighting over 22 lakh diyas on November 11 in Ayodhya during Deepotsav. Last year a record was created by lighting up 15.76 lakh diyas at the same time. To ensure the new record could be achieved this time, earthen lamps are going to be spread out over 51 ghats at Ram Ki Paidi.
A government spokesperson said that a total of 24 lakh diyas are going to be put up by volunteers out of which 21 lakh are expected to be lit up at the same time to create the record.
About 25,000 volunteers are going to be deployed for the job with a majority being students from Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University. Identity cards and bus services have been provided to ferry the students from Lohia and other colleges to the site.
A 4.5-foot-wide block will house 256 diyas in 16 by 16 formation. The volunteers will start work at the site from Thursday noon onwards. The local municipal corporation will assist in cleaning and sweeping of the ghats before diyas are lined up.
The volunteers have been asked to pour 30 ml mustard oil in the diyas on November 11 before the event. A circulation space will be created within the grid to facilitate the movement of volunteers who would provide the cotton wick and oil on the final day.
(With agencies inputs)
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