Wed Oct 30 14:40:31 UTC 2024: ## Ayodhya Bathed in Festive Spirit as Deepotsav Celebrations Begin
**Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh:** The temple town of Ayodhya is buzzing with festive spirit as it prepares for its eighth Deepotsav celebration, marking the grand Diwali festivities. This year, the celebrations take on special significance as they are the first Diwali after the consecration of Ram Lalla in the newly inaugurated Ram Temple.
Over 25 lakh diyas will illuminate the town, accompanied by aerial drone shows. The festivities will feature processions with vibrant tableaux depicting characters from Ramayana, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
The inauguration of the Ram Temple in February this year marked the culmination of a decades-long struggle by devotees, fulfilling a key agenda of the Sangh Parivar.
The celebrations are seen as a significant political event, with the BJP hoping to leverage the “Ram Temple” wave to regain momentum after a recent electoral setback in Uttar Pradesh. The party’s tally in the state fell significantly in the Lok Sabha elections, prompting a focus on strengthening Hindu support, with Lord Ram and the Ram Mandir serving as key rallying points.
In a veiled reference to the electoral performance, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the importance of unity, stating “Maa Sita cannot be made to endure Agni Pareeksha again and again”. This statement, delivered at the culmination of a procession marking the beginning of Deepotsav, is seen as a call to action for the BJP, aiming to re-energize its base ahead of upcoming elections.
The celebrations in Ayodhya are expected to draw large crowds and provide a powerful symbol of Hindu unity and the BJP’s commitment to Hindutva ideology.
First Piper 