Lucknow, Nov 12: A day after 22 lakh ‘diyas’ illuminated the banks of Saryu River in Ayodhya, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday shared a video on X showing some children taking out oil from lamps at a ghat and filling it in utensils. “Poverty amid divinity…where poverty forces one to take oil from lamps, the light of celebration becomes dim. Our only wish is that there should also be such a festival in which not only ghats, but every house of the poor gets illuminated.” In a record feat, more than 22 lakh earthen lamps were lit on the banks of the Saryu river in Ayodhya on the seventh edition of the Deepotsav.
The 22.23 lakh earthen lamps – 6.47 lakh more than last year – were lit by 25,000 volunteers at the 51 ghats of Ram Ki Paidi along the river. Ayodhya reverberated with chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ after the representatives of the Guinness Book of World Records counted the lamps using drones and registered it as a world record.
On Sunday, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati in a post on X said greeted the public on Diwali. “Hearty congratulations to all Indian brothers and sisters and their families living in the country and across the world on the occasion of Deepavali as well as Bhaiya Dooj, and many best wishes to all for a happy and prosperous life,” Mayawati wrote.
One of the most popular Hindu festivals, Diwali is associated with the day Lord Ram is believed to have returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman after defeating Ravana during his 14 years in exile and is seen as a celebration of the victory of good over evil. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday termed as divine and unforgettable the lighting of more than 22 lakh ‘diyas’ during the Deepotsav in Ayodhya, and said the energy emanating from there is spreading new zeal and enthusiasm across India.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday extended Diwali greetings to the people of the state and wished them happiness, prosperity, good fortune and health. According to an official statement, Adityanath visited the Hanumangarhi temple and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya and offered prayers. In a post on ‘X’, Adityanath said, “Hearty congratulations and best wishes to the people of the state on the great festival of Diwali (which marks) the victory of truth over lie, virtue over tyranny and light over darkness. With the blessings of Lord Shri Ram and Mata Janaki, may this holy festival illuminate the lives of all of you… Jai Shri Ram!”
The chief minister Yogi Adityanath also met with seers in Ayodhya. (PTI)
