Ayodhya has set a new Guinness world record by lighting over 22.23 lakh ‘Diyas’ (earthen lamps) during ‘Deepotsav 2023’. The temple town broke its world record of 15.76 lakh Diyas lit last year on the Diwali eve.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who attended the celebrations said, “When the programme for the Deepotsav began, it felt as if every person had only one wish and that was the construction of the temple (Ram Temple)…”

Adityanath said the government is investing crores of rupees to build the city and transform Ayodhya in anticipation of the construction of the Ram Mandir. The Uttar Pradesh Government’s ‘Grand Deepotsav’ was recognized 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.

In the meantime, worshippers at Ayodhya’s Ram Janamabhoomi offered prayers to Lord Ram Lalla.

The parade began at Udaya Square and travelled across the city to arrive at Ram Katha Park. It featured performances by folk artists and “aartis.” According to reports, Jaiveer Singh, the minister of tourism and culture for Uttar Pradesh, initiated it.

The tableaux included topics such as science and technology, women’s safety and welfare, children’s rights and basic education, self-reliance, and preservation of the environment and forests. They also displayed several government programmes.

From 51,000 diyas in 2017 to 4.10 lakh in 2019, over 6 lakh in 2020, and over 9 lakh in 2021, the number of diyas established a Guinness World Record.

The Guinness Book of World Records only included diyas that remained lit for five minutes or longer, hence the record for the most diyas lit across the ghats of Ram ki Pairi in 2022 was 15.76 lakh.