Ayodhya sets world record with over 25 lakh diyas lit

AYODHYA'S FIRST DIWALI POST-PRAN PRATISHTHA

- B P SINGH

Ayodhya's eighth Deepotsav festival transported thousands of devotees back to the era of "Treta Yuga," commemorating the first Diwali since the consecration of Lord Ram Lalla in the newly constructed Ram Temple.

The event, steeped in spirituality and grandeur, saw an astounding 25 lakh oil lamps illuminating the city, breaking last year's record and earning Ayodhya a world record yet again. This year's Deepotsav holds particular significance as it follows the 'Pran Pratishtha' performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22.

The Guinness World Records team honoured the achievement by presenting a certificate to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, recognising the extraordinary feat, monitored in real time by drone cameras to ensure compliance with the stringent guidelines.

"Over 30,000 volunteers, largely college students, contributed tirelessly to maintain the meticulously designed lamp pattern, ensuring each lamp stayed lit for the prescribed duration," shared Pratibha Goyal, vice-chancellor of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, who coordinated the remarkable volunteer effort.