• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Wed, 30 Oct 2024 06:18 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Ayodhya Deepotsav 2024: Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad, who represents the Faizabad constituency in the Lok Sabha, on Wednesday said he had not recieved an official invitation for the ongoing Deepotsav celebration in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, alleging that the BJP was "politicising the festival".

"BJP is politicising this festival and dividing people. I have not got any pass or invite for Deepotsav. This festival doesn't belong to any one community. I will be going to Ayodhya today. I have not received any pass or invite for Deepotsav," Prasad told news agency ANI.

This is the first Deepotsav in Ayodhya since the inauguration of the grand Ram Mandir in the holy city. Ayodhya falls under the Faizabad parliamentary constituency. In the Lok Sabha election held earlier this year, Prasad's victory from the seat came as a shock for the BJP as it was believed that the construction of the much-awaited Ram temple in Ayodhya would translate into massive electoral gains for the saffron party.

AYODHYA DEEPOTSAV 2024: CELEBRATIONS BEGIN IN 'RAMNAGARI'

The eighth Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya kicked off on Wednesday as a procession of 18 vibrant tableux featuring key moments from Lord Ram's life made its way through the temple town. At its concluding point, the procession was received with an 'aarti' by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

This year, the UP government is aiming to create a new world record by lighting more than 28 lakh diyas along the banks of the Saryu River during the Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya. The diyas are scheduled to be lit during the evening hours of Wednesday. A 30-member Guinness World Records team is present in the city to oversee the preparations.

(With inputs from agencies)