As Ayodhya gears up for the Deepotsav celebration, the first one after the commencement of Ram Temple construction, the focus will be on the government’s efforts to attempt a Guinness Book record when 5.51 lakh diyas will be lit on the banks of the river Saryu.
“In Ayodhya, which has become the centre of attraction and curiosity around the world in the recent past, the Yogi Adityanath government is also going to convey the message of India’s cultural glory to the entire world,” senior government official Mukesh Meshram said.
This will be a three-day celebration which started on November 11 and will continue till November 13. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will attend the programme in the evening and take part in the lamp lighting celebration.
The cultural rainbow of the entire country will be witnessed this time at the Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya on Friday as artists from many states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the Braj and Bundelkhand regions of UP exhibit their skills. The focus of the event will be on promoting the Mission Shakti campaign.
With lakhs of diyas (lamps) illuminating the bank of the river Saryu, these artists will further glorify the festive celebrations of the holy city. The folk artists of Bundelkhand will platform to showcase their rich heritage as the Culture department has specially included the Diwari Toli of Bundelkhand in the Deepotsav this year.
The dance groups of the Bundelkhand youths will also make the celebrations special in their own traditional style.
Along with the other artists, the team of Ramesh Pal of Banda district, whose group has performed Diwari Toli in many countries, has been invited to perform at the celebrations.
“With this, the intent of the government is to give a stage to the artists of Bundelkhand and a further boost to the economy and culture of the region,” the official said.
The official said that all the Covid protocols would be strictly adhered to and all roads leading to the Saryu river and Ram Janmabhoomi would be barricaded.
“Nobody other than the invitees will be allowed at the Deepotsav venue,” the official said.