Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath graced the ongoing Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya on Saturday in a radiant display of cultural and spiritual fervour. He also performed the 'Aarti,' enveloping the sacred city in a luminous glow.
The 'Deepotsav' achieved a groundbreaking milestone, setting a new Guinness World Record with the illumination of over 22.23 lakh diyas.
Earlier in the day, eighteen tableaux based on the Ramayana, the Ramcharitmanas, and various social issues marched in preparation for the seventh Deepotsav, which are being held in Uttar Pradesh on the eve of Diwali. The procession, which included performances by folk artists and 'aartis,' began at Udaya Square and wound its way through the city to the Ram Katha Park. According to a statement, it was launched by Uttar Pradesh Minister of Tourism and Culture Jaiveer Singh.
The tableaux were created by the state's tourism and information departments, according to the statement.
The tableaux were themed around children's rights and basic education, women's safety and welfare, self-reliance, forest and environmental protection, and science and technology. They also highlighted various government initiatives.
There were also floats based on the Ramcharitmanas and the Ram Katha, with some depicting the Shabari-Ram Milap and the Lanka Dahan. The procession included artists from all over the country, not just those from Uttar Pradesh. People from all over Ayodhya had gathered along the roads to watch performances, which included folk dances from various states.
UP CM Pulls Lord Ram's Chariot During Celebrations In Ayodhya:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel took part in pulling a chariot carrying artists depicting Lord Ram, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshman's 14-year exile back to Ayodhya on a Pushpak Viman' on Saturday. Flowers were also dropped from a helicopter.
Lord Shri Ram's brothers Bharat and Shatrughan welcomed them, according to an official statement issued on Saturday. Lord Shri Ram boarded the chariot from the helipad and proceeded to Ramkatha Park with Mata Janaki, his three brothers, Lord Hanuman, and Guru Vashishtha.
The Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya began in 2017 with the formation of the Yogi Adityanath government.
Starting with 51,000 diyas in 2017, the number increased to 4.10 lakh in 2019, over 6 lakh in 2020, and more than 9 lakh in 2021, breaking the Guinness World Record.
More than 17 lakh diyas were lit across the Ram ki Pairi ghats in 2022, but the Guinness Book of World Records only considered diyas that remained lit for five minutes or more, and the record was 15.76 lakh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief guest at the October Deepotsav.