Fri Nov 01 06:10:00 UTC 2024: ## Ayodhya Sets New World Record for Diwali Oil Lamps

**AYODHYA, INDIA** – The Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, began on Wednesday with a spectacular display of 2.51 million earthen oil lamps, setting a new Guinness World Record. The record-breaking event took place in Ayodhya, a city in northern India believed to be the birthplace of the Hindu deity Lord Ram.

The city’s riverbanks, lanes, and rooftops were illuminated by the “diyas,” creating a mesmerizing spectacle that stretched for over a mile along the Saryu River. Thousands of volunteers, primarily college students, worked tirelessly to ensure the lamps burned systematically for over five minutes.

Uttar Pradesh state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was presented with a certificate from Guinness World Records, acknowledging the unprecedented number of oil lamps, surpassing last year’s record of 2.2 million. Drones were deployed to monitor the event, capturing the impressive display for posterity.

The spectacle took place in Ayodhya, a city that holds immense religious significance for Hindus. Nine months ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a controversial Hindu temple built on the ruins of a historic mosque in Ayodhya, fulfilling a long-standing demand by millions of Hindus.

The Deepotsav celebrations, held on the eve of Diwali, included a prayer ceremony by 1,100 priests along the riverbank, a laser show depicting scenes from the epic Ramayana, and an eco-friendly fireworks display. Security was heightened throughout the city, with paramilitary commandos, bomb detectors, and advanced surveillance technology deployed to ensure safety.

Diwali, a celebration of light over darkness and good over evil, is the most important festival of the year in India. It is a time for socializing, exchanging gifts, and reflecting on the importance of truth, sacrifice, and good governance, values embodied in the stories of Lord Ram.

The main celebrations of Diwali are held across India on Thursday, with millions of people marking the occasion with lights, fireworks, and prayers.

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