• Source:JND
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Ayodhya Deepotsav 2023: Ayodhya witnessed the grand Deepotsav on the occasion of Diwali, organized by the government of Uttar Pradesh. The temple city saw over 22 lakh diyas illuminated at the same time across 51 ghats in Ayodhya, creating a new Guinness World Record. 

The celebrations of the Ayodhya Deepotsav began with the formation of the Yogi Adityanath-led government in 2017. A total of 51 thousand lamps were lit for the first time, and this is the seventh year that this grand festival is being celebrated. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also participated in his event. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel took part in pulling a chariot carrying artists depicting the fabled return of Lord Ram, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshman to Ayodhya on a Pushpak Viman' after 14 years of exile. Flowers were also showered on them from a helicopter.

According to an official statement, Lord Shri Ram's brothers Bharat and Shatrughan welcomed them. From the helipad, Lord Shri Ram boarded the chariot and proceeded towards the venue of Ramkatha Park along with Mata Janaki, his three brothers, Lord Hanuman, and Guru Vashishtha.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended greetings on Diwali and said, "We all are fortunate that we are witnessing the festival of lights here. This festival of lights is being broadcast live in more than 100 countries of the world. The world is watching how Lord Shri Ram would have come to Ayodhya in Pushpak Viman thousands of years ago and how the gods would have showered flowers on him from the sky."

Recalling when the Deepotsav programme was started in 2017, he said, "Today, after 500 years of sacrifices, movements, and campaigns, Lord Shri Ram is going to sit in his grand temple. Now it is the responsibility of the people of Ayodhya that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes on January 22 to enshrine Lord Shri Ram in his grand temple, his welcome in Ayodhya should also be historic,” he said.

The Uttar Pradesh CM also said that Ayodhya will have ten times more tourists after Makar Sankranti and the inauguration of the Ram temple as compared to present. He also urged the residents of the city to start preparations now with the resolution of 'Atithi Devo Bhava'.

"Ayodhya is the favourite city of Lord Shri Ram and the double engine government is determined to develop it as the most beautiful city in the world," he said as quoted by news agency PTI.

"Currently, work is being done on 178 development projects worth Rs 30,500 crores. If the participation of the private sector is also added, then in the coming time, projects worth Rs 50,000 crores will be seen taking shape here. This will create lakhs of jobs,” he added.

(With input from agencies)