"28 lakh diyas to be lighted at Ayodhya Ram Mandir," says UP minister Jaiveer Singh

"This is the first 'Deepotsav' after the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and every effort has been made to give grandeur, and divinity to this programme. Many things will be made to create new records this year. In today's program, the Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will be here," said Jaiveer Singh.

"CM Yogi Adityanath will attend the event...Artists are coming from many countries. The special thing this year will be that we have managed to light 28 lakh diyas by breaking all our previous records. Apart from this, we will also perform Aarti with 1,100 diyas at the Sarayug Ghat with 1,100 Vedacharyas. That too will create a new record in the Guinness Book of World Records..." the Uttar Pradesh emphasised further.

Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath invited everyone to participate in the grand festival and witness the world record attempt of lighting the diyas.

The UP government is all set to attempt a Guinness World Record by trying to light over 25 lakh diyas in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, on the occasion of Deepotsav. During the aarti of the festival today, another record will be attempted as over 1,100 people perform the largest aarti together on Saryu Ghat.

Deepotsav, a five-day festival, commemorates Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. The event showcases Ayodhya's cultural and spiritual significance, attracting millions of devotees and tourists.

Over 30 thousand volunteers will be helping with the world record attempt, which is laid out across 55 ghats of Ayodhya. The areas of New Ghat, Old Ghat, and Bhajan Sandhya and others will be witnessing the grand event. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Culture and Tourism Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and many other ministers are expected to attend the event later today.

A 30-member team from the Guinness Book of World Records arrived on Tuesday to oversee preparations for Deepotsav. Nischal Barot, Guinness Book of World Records Team incharge told ANI, "This is the seventh Deepotsav but this time it is a little special because after the Ram Mandir has been built, it is the first Deepotsav. This time there are two Guinness Book of Records, the first is that a record-breaking number of 1100 people will do the Saryu Aarti and the second is lightning of 25 lakh Diyas."

Moreover, the Shobha Yatra will be taking place today. The yatra will have the participation of artists from around 6 countries and 16 Indian states and will have 18 tableaus.

Notably, the government has also promoted 'Ek Diya Ram ke naam,' a virtual initiative launched through the Divya Ayodhya app. Ayodhya has seen significant changes in recent years, with increased tourism and development. The excitement is palpable, with local businesses thriving as visitors flock to the city for the festivities. (ANI)