Ayodhya lit up with 30lakh diyas on diwali eve

PABITRA BANERJEE : Ayodhya bathed in the glow of millions of earthen lamps on Saturday as the city celebrated the 10th edition of its grand Deepotsav festival along the banks of the Saryu River. Lakhs of diyas illuminated Ram Ki Paidi ghat, while more than 30 lakh earthen lamps were set to light up 56 ghats along the river, turning the temple town into a spectacular sea of lights. The annual celebration, which marks the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, recreates the traditional welcome believed to have been given to him by the people of the city in the Treta Yuga. The grand event was attended by Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with prominent spiritual leaders and other dignitaries. The evening’s festivities featured a grand Saryu Maha Aarti performed by thousands of priests, alongside a synchronised 2,100-drone show depicting key episodes from the Ramayana across the night sky. Over 34,000 volunteers, primarily students from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, worked in coordinated grids to light the massive expanse of lamps along the 2-kilometer riverfront stretch. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the cultural and economic resurgence of Ayodhya, noting that the festival has drawn global attention and transformed local livelihood avenues in hospitality, handicrafts, and tourism. Comprehensive multi-tier security and crowd management systems, supported by over 2,500 police personnel, ensured the smooth execution of the record-setting spectacle.