The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday set two new world records at this year’s Deepotsav in Ayodhya: 26.17 lakh diyas lit at the same spot where 2,128 people performed ‘aarti’ together in grand celebrations in the temple town.
Representatives of the Guinness Book of Records announced this after verifying the number of diyas using drones.
UP Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh and Chief Secretary Amrit Abhijat presented the Guinness certificate to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The first Guinness Award was given for the largest display of oil lamps (26,17,215) which was jointly achieved by UP Department of Tourism, Ayodhya Administration and Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University.
Another award was given for the largest number of people performing ‘aarti’ simultaneously. The tourism department, the district administration and Saryu Aarti Samiti of Ayodhya have jointly achieved this feat, the statement said.
“Truly spectacular”: Guinness World Records judge
Guinness World Records judge Richard Stenning said his team witnessed an “amazing display” of many diyas lit to celebrate Ayodhya Deepotsav 2025 on the eve of the Diwali festival at Ram Ki Paidi on the banks of the Saryu River.
“We witnessed an amazing display today. 26,17,215 oil lamps, this is officially a Guinness World Record,” he told ANI.
Richard said it was a “truly spectacular thing” and every year it gets more spectacular. “It’s an honor to be here. It’s unbelievable…”
‘Uttar Pradesh is not compromised’: CM Yogi Adityanath
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warmly greeted the people of the state on Deepotsav 2025 and said the festival has played a key role in shaping Uttar Pradesh’s renewed identity on the global stage.
“I express my wishes to the people of the state for Deepotsav 2025. Through this Deeppotsav program we have tried to create an identity for Uttar Pradesh. To ensure that the identity of the citizens of Uttar Pradesh is not compromised and no one dares to play with their faith, we have made continuous efforts after the formation of a two-engine government in Uttar Pradesh.
Highlighting the scale and inclusiveness of this year’s Deepotsav, he noted that more than 26.71 lakh diyas, made by local artisans from the Prajapati and Kumhar communities, were lit at Ayodhya Dham, underscoring the government’s commitment to empower traditional potter communities.
