On Wednesday, Ayodhya held ‘Deepotsav-2024’, attracting thousands of people to the Sarayu River’s banks for the Diwali celebrations. This was the first Deepotsav following the January dedication of the Ram Temple.
Additionally, two Guinness World Records were established. The Uttar Pradesh Department of Tourism and the Ayodhya District Administration set the second record for displaying 2,512,585 oil lamps, while the first record recognized the greatest number of persons doing “diya” rotations at the same time. Both honors were given to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Ten Major Ayodhya Deepotsav Points
The banks of the Saryu River were adorned with 25 lakh diyas, which were strategically positioned and illuminated to create a breathtaking visual spectacle.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led the ceremonies, pulling a chariot with artists depicting Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman amid a flower rain. The tableau depicted Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya.
The festivities were attended by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, as well as Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya.
In the ninth edition of Deepotsav, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stressed that Ayodhya’s transformation demonstrates a “double-engine government delivering on its promise,” alluding to the BJP government at both the state and national levels.
“This is just the beginning and this beginning has to reach its logical conclusion. So by 2047, when the country celebrates 100 years of its independence, Kashi and Mathura must also shine like Ayodhya,” PTI quoted UP CM Adityanath.
According to PTI, eighteen tableaux depicting incidents from the Ramcharitmanas were shown in an elegant procession from Saket Mahavidyalaya to Ram Katha Park, accompanied by the sounds of firecrackers and gulal blasts.
In his speech, the Chief Minister chastised the opposition for obstructing the government’s growth program, saying, “Just like mafias, these barriers would also be eliminated.”
Awadhesh Prasad, the Samajwadi Party’s leader and Faizabad MP, alleged on Wednesday that the Ayodhya government failed to invite him to the Deepotsav ceremony.
Accusing the BJP government of ‘politicising festivals,’ Prasad voiced concerns over the party’s influence on traditional celebrations. “I extend my greetings to all residents of Ayodhya on the occasion of Diwali,” he told ANI. He further expressed dismay, saying, “BJP is politicising our festivals too… dividing people.” Prasad, who claimed he hadn’t “received a pass or invitation to Deepotsav,” expressed hopes that Diwali would be celebrated as ‘a festival of brotherhood.’
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Source: HT
