Diwali in Ayodhya sets a world record of 12 lakh lamps

- Each lamp was required to be lit for five minutes for the world record: Guinness Book of World Records team was specially present

- Nine lakh lamps were lit at Ram Ki Padi Ghat, 21 thousand in Ram Mandir and 2.5 lakh in various parts of Ayodhya.

- Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announces free ration scheme to be continued till next March

- 150 million people in Uttar Pradesh will now get wheat, rice, oil and lentils for free

New Delhi: A grand Dipotsav program has been organized in Ayodhya. As a part of this plan, a world record of nine lakh lamps was set at Ram Ki Padi Ghat, 21 thousand in Ram Mandir and 4.5 lakh in different parts of the city. A Guinness Book of World Records team also arrived to see the event. Each lamp had to be lit for at least five minutes to set this world record. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived in Ayodhya for the grand Dipotsav program. The chief guest of Dipotsav is Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy. Yogi Adityanath said that now in the next Karsevaks, devotees of Lord Rama and Krishna will be showered with flowers and not bullets.

The administration of Awadh University, with the help of 15,000 volunteers, under the guidance of the Ghat Coordinator and the Chief, on Tuesday alone completed the work of arranging 12 lakh lamps in a special pattern.

As many as 1.5 million lamps were oiled and lit on Wednesday alone. In Dipotsav, bus coordinators, 3 inspectors and 3 heads have been appointed at 3 ghats. The target was to light 3 lamps for each of the 12,000 volunteers.

Arriving at the Dipotsavi function in Ayodhya, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the previous government used to spend money on cemeteries, but now money is being spent on redevelopment and beautification of temples. The construction of Ram temple will be completed in 202.

Union Minister Kishan Reddy said that the lanterns of the 18 lakh Deep Pragtay festival are illuminating the world. This is not just a world record, but a message of Lord Rama’s limits to the whole world. He further said that by 2020, Ayodhya will be the largest religious tourism city in the world. It is estimated that after ten years, the number of tourists coming to Ayodhya will be 50 million. This Dipotsav was organized when Lord Shriram returned after 14 years of exile. Thus the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has re-illuminated Ayodhya in the same way that Dipotsav was organized in Ayodhya at the reception of Lord Rama.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 30 schemes worth Rs 21 crore in Ayodhya. A gift from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. 200 drone cameras were installed for the Dipotsav program. This will be the first aerial drone show and will add to its grandeur and charm. The ambassadors of Trinidad, Tobago, Vietnam and Kenya tilaked the characters playing the roles of Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita during the Diwali ceremony in Ayodhya. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid homage to him. They were defeated. Actors playing the roles of Lord Rama, Lord Lakshman and Goddess Sita arrived by helicopter for the Diwali ceremony. Yogi Adityanath said that the Dipotsavi program in Ayodhya is touching new levels every year. The construction of the magnificent Ram Mandir will speed up the journey. The Government of Uttar Pradesh is working in this direction with the help of the Government of India. There is tremendous enthusiasm among the monks as well as the people regarding Dipotsav. Artists have made rangoli of Lord Rama, Ravana Dahan at Saryu Ghat.

Yogi Adityanath said the free ration scheme started in the Koro period has now been extended till Holi. It will benefit 150 million people. Apart from wheat and rice, it has also been decided to provide lentils, oil and salt under the free ration scheme.