The event, a massive cultural and logistical undertaking, highlights the city's growing significance on the world stage. (Image: X/ Gulf)
The ancient city of Ayodhya was transformed into a breathtaking canvas of light on Sunday, setting two new world records during its ninth Deepotsav celebration. A remarkable 26.17 lakh (2.617 million) diyas were lit together along the 56 ghats of the Saryu River, with 2,128 people performing a coordinated ‘aarti’, producing an unforgettable scene of faith and togetherness.
The event secured two official Guinness World Records. The first was for the "largest display of oil lamps," with a final, verified count of 26,17,215 diyas. This shattered the previous year's record of 25,12,585 lamps. The second record was set for the "most people performing aarti simultaneously," with 2,128 participants, far surpassing the 1,151 people who participated in the previous record-setting event. Representatives from Guinness World Records used drones to verify the immense count, ensuring the accuracy of the historic feat.
The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, the Ayodhya government, and the Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University spearheaded the enormous undertaking. About 33,000 university volunteers helped light the diyas along the riverbanks. The ceremony began with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lighting the first lamp at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex, marking a symbolic change from past years and showing the city’s evolving spiritual scene.
Beyond the record-breaking diya lighting, the festival featured a stunning multi-sensory narrative. A grand show at Ram Ki Paidi used advanced projection mapping, laser effects, and fireworks to bring the story of the Ramayan to life. The sky over Ayodhya lit up with a musical drone show featuring 3-D holographic images, amazing visitors. Raman Pal from Bahraich called the show "amazing," while Girish Yadav from Sultanpur said words couldn’t describe his feelings.
The exponential growth of Deepotsav over the years underscores Ayodhya's rising prominence as a global cultural and spiritual hub. Government data shows a huge jump in the number of diyas, from 1.71 lakh in 2017 to 26.17 lakh this year. What began as a local festival has grown into a record-breaking international event, combining tradition with a modern vision that fascinates millions.
