Ayodhya all set for grandest Deepotsav celebrations today, know more about this mega event

Ayodhya is gearing up for the most elaborate Deepotsav 2023 celebrations on the Saturday before the Ram temple opens to devotees in January next year. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate the festivities by lighting the first earthen lamp (diya) at Ram Ki Paidi ghat, initiating an attempt to establish a Guinness World Record. Following this, volunteers will illuminate lamps at all ghats in Ayodhya. The event is scheduled to take place after sunset, around 6 pm.

People can also participate virtually

Now, people from around the world have the opportunity to participate virtually. The Ayodhya Development Authority has launched a dedicated portal called 'e-Deepotsav,' enabling individuals to purchase and light diyas from the comfort of their homes. The portal also offers live coverage of the Deepotsav festivities in Ayodhya.

RP Yadav, the deputy director of the tourism department, explained that the initiative aims to connect people to this significant event by allowing them to purchase e-lamps through various packages. 

Participants can choose from packages containing 1, 11, 21, or 51 lamps, with prices ranging from Rs 51 to Rs 1,100. Additionally, participants will receive prizes such as lamps, cardamom seeds, laddu prasad, a model of the Ram temple, and souvenirs of Ramnami Gama, Ram Darwar, etc., delivered via courier based on their selected package.

New Guinness World Record will be set

In an effort to welcome Lord Ram, the Ayodhya administration is striving to set a new Guinness World Record by lighting 21 lakh earthen lamps (diyas) on Ram Ki Paidi and 50 other ghats of Ayodhya. For this purpose, 24 lakh diyas have been arranged at 51 ghats in Ayodhya.

Over 25,000 volunteers are working tirelessly

Over 25,000 volunteers from Ram Manohar Lohiya Awadh University, Faizabad, and all colleges in Ayodhya are working tirelessly to ensure the success of this mega event. The Awadh University is the nodal agency for organizing the event.

Yogi will arrive via a chopper

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, also the peethadheeshwar of the Gorakshnath Peeth in Gorakhpur, will welcome Lord Ram, his brother Lakshman, and Goddess Sita at Ram Katha Park. They will arrive in Ayodhya via a chopper, symbolizing Lord Ram's return from Lanka after defeating the demon king Ravana.

Ghat will be illuminated with a laser show

Governor Anandiben Patel and ministers from the state cabinet will be present, and the ghat will be illuminated with a laser show depicting various episodes of the Ramayana. Last year, 15.76 lakh diyas illuminated Ayodhya's ghats during Deepotsav, setting a Guinness World Record. This year, the Ayodhya administration aims to surpass this record by lighting 21 lakh diyas.

Ayodhya will don a new look

During Deepotsav, Ayodhya will showcase a new look, with the road from Naya Ghat to Hanuman Garhi temple transformed into a four-lane road named Ram Path to welcome devotees.

Pouring of oil into over 24 lakh diyas has begun 

Prof Sant Sharan Mishra, the nodal officer of Deepotsav, mentioned that police and university security personnel will ensure the safety of lamps at 51 ghats. Volunteers have started pouring oil into over 24 lakh diyas from 10 am on Deepotsav day under the supervision of various officials. Officials from the Guinness World Record will be present at each ghat to oversee the counting of lamps.

Each volunteer has been provided with a one-litre bottle of mustard oil to fill 30 diyas, and special precautions will be taken to prevent oil spillage on the ghats. After filling the diyas with oil, camphor powder will be applied to the wick's front part, facilitating the lighting process. Coordinators at each ghat have been equipped with candles, matchsticks, and other necessary materials.