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In a remarkable feat, Ayodhya set a new record by illuminating 22.23 lakh diyas during Deepotsav 2023 on Saturday.
This staggering number surpasses last year’s count of 15.76 lakh lamps by approximately 6.47 lakh.
After counting the lamps by drone, Deepotsav registered a new record in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s unwavering dedication to Ayodhya has yet again etched this ancient city on the global record.
“We had set a target to light 22,23,000 diyas at one place to break the Guinness world record and we have achieved that target," Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said.
He said over 22.23 lakh diyas were lit at 51 ghats at the banks of river Saryu.
“People across Ayodhya also lit oil lamps at temples and at their shops as a mark of Diwali celebration," he said and added that this was possible only because of thousands of volunteers who toiled hard to ensure the success of this mission," he said.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s Grand Deepotsav was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records after representatives from the organisation witnessed and acknowledged the achievement of lighting an unprecedented number of lamps simultaneously at a single location.
Over 24,000 volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure that the diyas burnt for the prescribed time to break the Guinness record. They included teachers from Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University and its affiliated colleges, as well as teachers and students from intermediate colleges and volunteer organisations, all contributed significantly to the creation of the record.
The district administration had purchased over 25 lakh diyas, over three lakh of which were cow dung lamps, from the local artisans.
As soon as the scheduled time for lighting the diyas began, 22.23 lakh lamps were lit one by one, accompanied by the resonant chanting of Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Jai Ram’. The entire Ayodhya echoed with the slogan Jai Shri Ram as soon as Guinness Book of World Records representatives announced the creation of the record.
Guinness Book of World Records executive Swapnil Dangarikar and consultant Nischal Barot provided this information after the count was completed.
Notably, a similar record for lamp lighting was set the previous year.
Upon receiving the certificate from the Guinness Book of World Records, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended warm greetings to the entire Ayodhya.
Diplomats from 54 countries were present as witnesses to this remarkable achievement, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was heartily congratulated for this unforgettable accomplishment.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the visionary behind the inception of Deepotsav in 2017, once again won the hearts of the entire country with this event. Continuously nurturing the deep-rooted connection between his Goraksha Peeth and Ayodhya, the chief minister has consistently upheld this tradition.
After completing his first term, and now, in the second Deepotsav of the second term, Ayodhya, adorned with divine lamps and filled with profound emotions, once again embraced Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.