With each passing year, the Deepotsav in Ayodhya gets grander. This year, the Uttar Pradesh government is set to celebrate Deepotsav with a target of lighting over 24 lakh diyas (earthen lamps) along 51 ghats of the Saryu across Ayodhya on Saturday. With this feat, the state government is planning to create another Guinness World Record. To meet this goal, more than 25,000 volunteers have been deployed. Last year, over 16 lakh diya were lit during Deepotsav setting a record.
Volunteers began pouring oil into the lamps from 10 am under the supervision of various district administration officials. The diyas have been mostly arranged within blocks. A 4.5-foot-wide block will house 256 diyas arranged in a 16x16 formation. Special precautions have been taken to prevent oil spillage on the ghats. Following oil pouring, camphor powder will be applied to the wick, so that it is quicker to light.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will reach Ayodhya at 2 pm. The High Commissioners and Ambassadors of more than 50 countries will be attend the event. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya and Brajesh Pathak will also participate in the programme.
Ahead of the main event, preparations continue in Ayodhya. A sand artist depicted the life story of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.
Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh flagged off a tableau procession from Saket Degree College depicting the craftsmanship of artisans throughout the state. The tableaus will reach Ram Katha Park at 2:30 PM.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brijesh Pathak while speaking to ANI said, "A new record will be created at Deepotsav Saturday. The envoys of more than 50 countries will attend this event today. All hospitals are on alert mode in case any incident takes place due to the bursting of firecrackers."
What Is Deepotsav?
The grand celebrations of Deepotsav began in 2017, it is held on Chhoti Diwali, and the whole city of Ayodhya is lit up with diyas to mark the return of Lord Ram from his exile. Besides the beautiful sight of the diyas, a host of cultural programmes are organised on this day.
This year, Ram Katha Park will acquire the centrestage with Bharat Kund, Guptar Ghat, Birla Dharamshala and Ramghat. Folk music and dance forms Dhobiya and Faruwahi will be the highlight of the celebrations and artists from Azamgarh, Mathura, Jhansi, Jaunpur and other parts of the state will perform during the celebrations.
A Ram Barat and ‘jhanki’ will also be taken out in the city and Bundeli Rai dance will be showcased as well.
Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the grand celebrations for the first time.
Tribe From Jharkhand To Attend Deepotsav
According to ANI, this year people from different places have arrived in Ayodhya to witness the grand, including tribal people from the Pakur district of Jharkhand. Around 48 tribal people from the Pakur district of Jharkhand have arrived in Ayodhya to celebrate Deepotsav on Saturday. This tribe resides in the mountainous region and they have come barefooted to the city. Jharkhand Pradesh Shri Ram Janaki Charitable Service Trust has helped the tribe make the visit.
This is the last Deepotsav before the inauguration of Ram Temple on January 22, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will preside at the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024.