Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on October 30 that the transformation of Ayodhya city is a proof that the “double-engine government is delivering on its promise.” The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader also claimed that a similar transformation should also take place in the cities of Kashi and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh by 2047, when India celebrates 100 years of Independence.
Ayodhya was transformed into a breathtaking spectacle on Wednesday as it glittered with the light of 25,12,585 diyas along the banks of the Saryu River during two world records during the eighth edition of Deepotsav on Diwali evening.
This was the first Deepotsav since the inauguration of the Ram Mandir on January 22, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath leading the celebration along with his cabinet colleagues and Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
The records set were for the largest display of oil lamps and the largest number of people performing an “aarti” simultaneously, Guinness World Records representatives said in the evening.
“This is just the beginning and this beginning must reach its logical conclusion. So by 2047, when the country celebrates 100 years of Independence, Kashi and Mathura should also shine like Ayodhya,” the chief minister said.
Kashi, Mathura Court battles
A court case is underway to resolve the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi Mosque dispute in Varanasi. A similar court case is ongoing over the Krishna Janam Bhoomi and Shahi Eidgah dispute in Mathura.
Adityanath said the transformation of Ayodhya was “just the beginning” and part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for developing the legacy of Sanatan Dharma and taking it to the world stage.
Addressing the opposition, Adityanath said, “Like the mafia, these barriers would also be removed.”
According to government estimates, more than 35 lakh lamps illuminated Ayodhya. Of these, 25,12,585 lamps were lit at 55 ghats, including Ram ki Paidi, along the Saryu River.
Deepotsav saw 1.71 lakh diyas in 2017, 3.01 lakh in 2018, 4.04 lakh in 2019, 6.06 lakh in 2020, 9.41 lakh in 2021, 15.76 lakh in 2022 and 22.23 lakh in 2023, the government said.
Starting with 1.71 lakh lamps in 2017, the lighting has increased to an impressive 25,12,585 lamps by 2024, casting a radiant glow over Ayodhya. The illumination of more than 25 lakh lamps together set a new world record for the largest oil lamp display, Guinness World Records judge Pravin Patel announced.
This is just the beginning and this beginning must reach its logical conclusion.
The other record was set for the first time – the highest number of people performing an “aarti” simultaneously, with 1,121 vedacharyas twirling diyas along the Saryu, Patel said.