Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya on Saturday witnessed grand Deepotsav celebrations and illuminated its ghats with lakhs of earthen lamps.
On the eve of Diwali, the temple city, which is located on the bank of the Saryu River, broke its own world record.
About 22.23 lakh diyas were lit at the same time across 51 ghats in Ayodhya to create a new Guinness World Record.
Ayodhya began Deepotsav celebrations with the formation of the Yogi Adityanath-led government in 2017. In that year, about 51,000 diyas were lit and the number went up to 4.10 lakh in 2019.
In 2020, over 6 lakh earthen lamps were lit and more than 9 lakh in 2021.
In 2022, more than 17 lakh diyas were lit across the ghats of Ram ki Pairi. However, the Guinness Book of World Records only took those diyas into consideration which remained lit for five minutes or more and the record was set at 15,76,955.
Earlier in the day, eighteen tableaux, themed on the Ramayana, the Ramcharitmanas, and various social issues, were part of a procession taken out ahead of the Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya.
The procession, which was flagged off by Uttar Pradesh Minister of Tourism and Culture Jaiveer Singh, began from the Udaya Square and passed through various parts of the city to reach the Ram Katha Park.
The tableaux were themed on issues such as children's rights and basic education, women's safety and welfare, self-reliance, protection of forest and environment, and science and technology. They also showcased different government initiatives.
This year's celebrations are said to be special as the construction work of the Ram temple is in full swing in Ayodhya.
The much-awaited inauguration of the Ram Mandir is scheduled to take place on January 22 2024 and will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Two South African Farmers Grow A Single Plum Weighing 464 Grams, Break World Record Ayodhya Ram Temple Construction To Generate Rs 400 Crore GST: Champat Rai Footballer Sets World Record With Skills That Helped Him Overcome Suicide Struggle 9 Dead, 2,800 Hurt As Pagers Explode Across Lebanon, Hezbollah Blames Israel China, Russia Concerned About India-US Relationship: Top American Diplomat 'Pager Bombs' Target Hezbollah In Lebanon. What We Know So Far - 5 Points UN Says Lebanon Pager Blasts 'Extremely Concerning Escalation' Kamala Harris Calls For End To War In Gaza, No Israeli Reoccupation Kamala Harris Dials Trump After Apparent Assassination Attempt Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.