Ayodhya: UP Government celebrates Deepotsav festivities by litting diays on the banks of the Saryu River in Ayodhya on the occasion of Diwali on Sunday. Devotees lighting 26.17 lakh diyas as a record at the same place.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath greeted saints and mahants in Ayodhya ahead of the celebrations. Yogi Adityanath performed the aarti of artistes dressed as Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Lakshman, and pulled the symbolic chariot, or Pushpak Vimaan, carrying the artistes.

2,128 people performed aarti together, setting two new world records.  Representatives from the Guinness World Records verified the count of the diyas using drones and made the announcement, said UP Government.

The Deepotsav festivities began at 5 pm and continued until 8 pm. This year’s celebrations included a grand aarti ceremony, featuring the record 2,128 performers, a light and sound show, and a fireworks display.

According to the Divisional Commissioner of Ayodhya, Rajesh Kumar, the entire rehearsal for the procession took place yesterday evening. 33,000 volunteers are engaged in lighting diyas during the festival of lights. They are all present here; preparing the lamps in the small sectors they have been assigned. Police forces and magistrates are already deployed. Artistes from five countries have come to perform Ramleela, which will continue at night, he said.

Devotees lit a total of 26,17,215 diyas illuminated Ram Ki Paidi and 56 ghats. The UP Department of Tourism, the Ayodhya administration, and the Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University jointly received the Guinness award for the largest display of oil lamps. The Tourism Department, the district administration and the Saryu Aarti Samiti in Ayodhya jointly received the Guinness award for the largest number of people performing aarti simultaneously.