25 lakh diyas will be lit, aarti will be performed by 1100 people: Ayodhya Divisional Commissioner ahead of Deepotsav event

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 26 : Ahead of the revered Deepotsav event in Ayodhya, Divisional Commissioner Gaurav Dayal said that extensive preparations were being made for the event and this time 25 lakh diyas will be lit to illuminate ghats along the banks of the Sarayu River setting a new record in the Guinness Book of World Records.
On Saturday, Gaurav Dayal said, "This time more diyas will be lit than last year, 25 lakh diyas will be lit. Arrangements have been made for aarti by 1100 people, there will be a drone show. We will organize new programs. Cultural programs will be started from 28th... Diyas will be lit in all the temples of Ayodhya. A large number of volunteers will be deployed. This is the first Diwali in Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, preparations are being made accordingly and inside the temple also diyas would be lit."
He further said that the event would be jointly organised by the tourism department, cultural department and information department.
"The effort is to make a grand scale celebration. Cultural programmes will start from October 28 and rehearsals have already started. Stages are being built and barricading is being done. Tableaus will be exhibited. The main programme will be held on October 30 and the rehearsals would be done on October 29 also," he further said.
He said that Ramlila at the international level would be performed on October 30 and would be organised at Ram Katha Park.
This year, Ayodhya is set to illuminate 55 ghats along the banks of the Sarayu River, with over 2 million lamps already prepared, according to sources.
Preparations for the Deepotsav festival are in full swing, with plans to light over 2.5 million lamps during Diwali.
Ninety-five percent of the decoration work on the ghats is complete. A unique feature of this year's Deepotsav is that 10,000 people will be allowed to participate in the celebrations. A viewing gallery is being constructed at Ram Ki Paidi for the attendees, which will be ready before the event. Last year, lamps were lit on 51 ghats, but this year, the plan is to light lamps on 55 ghats.
Deepotsav's Nodal Officer, SS Mishra, said, "Preparations for the Deepotsav are progressing rapidly. This year, Lord Ram will be seated in a grand palace, and therefore, the Deepotsav will be celebrated on an even grander scale."
Mishra added that over 32,000 volunteers from Awadh University will assist in setting a new world record during this year's Deepotsav. It has been confirmed that over 2.5 million lamps will be lit this year along the Sarayu River. This year's celebration is particularly significant as it marks the first Deepotsav since the consecration of Balak Ram in the temple. The state government is working to ensure the event is historic.