The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra has taken a step toward supporting the “Make in India” initiative by banning the use of Chinese decorative items, including lights, for this year’s Diwali celebrations at the Ram Janmabhoomi campus and proposed custom designed outfit for Ram Lalla by fashion designer Manish Malohtra.
“The Trust will make all arrangements for the Diwali celebrations, ensuring that no Chinese items, including lights, are used on the campus,” announced Champat Rai, general secretary of the Trust.
In keeping with this vision, the Diwali festivities at the Ram Mandir will focus on promoting local artisans and traditional crafts. This celebration, the first since the grand opening of the temple on January 22, 2024, will highlight India’s rich cultural heritage.
The temple will be illuminated with two lakh diyas, handcrafted by local artisans, to honour India’s traditional craftsmanship. The Trust has carefully planned the diya placements to preserve the beauty of the temple.
A standout feature of this year’s celebrations is the custom-designed outfits for Ram Lalla and his brothers, created by renowned Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra. Known for his intricate craftsmanship and blend of tradition and modernity, Malhotra’s designs will add a special charm to the deity’s adornment.
“Manish Malhotra is preparing these special outfits for the deities, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ spirit of the celebrations,” said a Trust member.
The festivities will also include special offerings and four artis throughout the day. Acharya Satyendra Das, the head priest, will lead the Vedic rituals, while the temple complex will be decorated with locally sourced flowers and traditional decorations, further emphasizing the focus on Indian artisanship.
The Uttar Pradesh tourism department is contributing to the celebrations by lighting diyas along the Sarayu River and organising cultural events to recreate the joyous return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also set an ambitious goal of lighting 25 lakh diyas during the Deepotsav, aiming to set a new Guinness World Record.
However, as the city prepares for Diwali, the Ayodhya Ramleela has already made headlines, breaking viewership records with an astounding 41 crore people tuning in online within the first three days. The Ramleela, performed by film actors and broadcast live on Doordarshan and multiple online platforms, is available in 26 languages across 40 countries. This year’s online viewership has already surpassed last year’s record of 40 crore viewers, and it is anticipated to reach 50 crore by the end of the event.
Subhash Malik, chairman of the Ramleela committee, expressed his joy over the massive response. “The numbers speak for themselves. Each year, we see a rise in viewers, and this time the response has been phenomenal,” Malik said. So far, 22 crore people have watched the event on Doordarshan, 17 crore on YouTube, and 2 crore through other platforms.
Director Shubham Malik noted that Ramleela is being broadcast live daily from 7 pm to 10 pm on over 5,000 YouTube channels and 70 satellite channels, reaching audiences across countries like the USA, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Russia. Viewers are enjoying the Ramayana in various languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, and Punjabi.
Notable actors such as Bindu Dara Singh, Raza Murad, and Manish Pal are performing key roles, while actresses like Bhagya Shri and Sheeba add depth to the production. Members of Parliament, Manoj Tiwari and Ravi Kishan are also among the star-studded cast, adding excitement to the live event. Padma Shri awardee Malini Awasthi is playing the role of Shabri, bringing another layer of cultural richness to the grand production.
This year’s Ramleela not only draws inspiration from India’s epic but also celebrates India’s self-reliance, both in craftsmanship and storytelling, as viewers across the globe experience the grandeur of Lord Rama’s legacy.
