On the eve of Diwali (30th November 2024), Ayodhya set a new world record by lighting 2.5 million divas (oil/ghee lamps) along the Sarayu River. This was the first Deepotsav celebration following the consecration of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya with a total of 80,000 divas being arranged, in the shape of a swastika, at Ghat Number 10.
The Uttar Pradesh government organised the event with the help of 30,000 volunteers. The effort earned a new Guinness World Record for the largest display of lighted oil lamps, surpassing last year’s record of over 2.2 million divas. Additionally, a Guinness World Record was achieved when 1,121 people performed a simultaneous aarti to mark the occasion.
The celebration also featured religious and cultural performances, including a musical and dance drama depicting scenes from the Ramayana by artists from six countries: Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia. These Southeast Asian nations are where Hindu culture has had historical influence and where the Ramayana is a popular epic.
Image credit: @hariompandeyMP via X