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The holy city of Ayodhya shimmered under a record 26 lakh oil lamps on Sunday evening, October 19, as Uttar Pradesh celebrated Deepotsav 2025, marking one of the largest religious gatherings in the country. The illumination along the banks of the Saryu River and across Ayodhya Dham earned two Guinness World Records - for the largest display of oil lamps and for the most people performing simultaneous diya rotations.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath received the official Guinness certificates at Ramkatha Park, calling the occasion “a living embodiment of Sanatan Dharma’s resilience and devotion”. He said, “In Ayodhya, every lamp radiates compassion, and every heart holds Lord Ram. This celebration reflects the nation’s collective faith and pride.”

CM Yogi recalled that the Deepotsav began in 2017 with 1.71 lakh diyas. “The rise from less than two lakh to over 26 lakh lamps shows how faith has united and awakened the nation,” he said. Officials said the diyas were crafted by local artisans from the Prajapati and Kumhar communities, reflecting the state government’s commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship. Over 10,000 students and volunteers participated in arranging and lighting the diyas, ensuring precision for Guinness verification.

Across Uttar Pradesh, more than 1.51 crore lamps were lit as part of the wider Deepotsav celebration, transforming the state into a vast landscape of light and devotion.

Addressing the gathering, CM Yogi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership had fulfilled the centuries-old resolve of Ram devotees through the consecration of the Ram Temple earlier this year. “This is the victory of devotion and the fulfilment of generations of vows,” he said.

Without directly naming political rivals, he criticised previous administrations for “insulting the faith of Ram bhakts and neglecting Ayodhya’s spiritual legacy”. He added, “They fired bullets, and we are lighting lamps. They locked the temple, and today, Lord Ram sits in his divine abode.”

The Chief Minister said that Ayodhya now receives between six and ten crore devotees annually and is being developed as a clean, modern and cultural city that embodies the ideals of Ram Rajya - where no one remains poor or deprived. “Ayodhya today is both a symbol of spiritual grandeur and a model of a confident, new India,” he said. The state government said the Deepotsav has not only revived Ayodhya’s ancient traditions but also positioned it as a global destination for religious tourism.

Ankit Kumar is a Senior Sub Editor at Zee Business. He covers international affairs, politics, climate change, business, finance and global elections. With experience acros