A Historic Celebration at the Ram Temple
As Ayodhya prepares for its first-ever Diwali celebration at the new Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, excitement is palpable. The Uttar Pradesh government is organizing the eighth Deepotsav, aiming to illuminate the Saryu River with a record-breaking 2.8 million diyas, making this year’s celebration both grand and environmentally conscious.
Eco-Friendly Initiatives
This year’s festivities will emphasize sustainability, utilizing special eco-friendly lamps to minimize soot and stains on the temple’s structure. The meticulous decorations around the temple have been organized into sections, each assigned specific tasks to enhance the overall aesthetic. Retired IG Ashu Shukla from Bihar is leading efforts for lighting, entrance decorations, and maintaining cleanliness in the area.
Symbol of Devotion and Cleanliness
The temple trust, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, envisions Ayodhya as a beacon of devotion, cleanliness, and environmental awareness. Visitors can enjoy the elaborate decorations from Gate No. 4B, as the temple opens its doors from October 29 to November 1, inviting the community to participate in the festivities.
Mobilizing the Community
The preparation for Deepotsav has engaged over 30,000 volunteers, who are diligently arranging diyas across 55 ghats along the Saryu River. More than 2,000 supervisors, coordinators, and ghat managers are ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Volunteers from various colleges and NGOs are also contributing, with a stunning Swastik formation made of 80,000 diyas being crafted at Ram Ki Paidi’s ghat number 10.
Record-Breaking Efforts
On October 30, as part of Chhoti Diwali, the lighting of 2.8 million diyas is set to establish a new world record. Volunteers will be dressed in attire featuring QR codes, arranging the diyas in 16×16 grids, each containing 256 diyas. This initiative showcases not only the spirit of Diwali but also the collective effort of the community.
Support for Volunteers
Organizers have taken significant steps to ensure the well-being of volunteers by providing clean drinking water, food, and rest stations at the ghats. Deputy Registrar Dinesh Kumar Maurya has coordinated with the Municipal Corporation to maintain cleanliness, ensuring that each diya is filled with 30 ml of mustard oil, with final preparations scheduled to be completed by October 28.
Honoring Cultural Heritage
This Deepotsav holds special significance following the consecration of the idol of Ram Lalla earlier this year, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His vision extends beyond the temple’s physical construction to building a strong and capable India. This Diwali, Ayodhya’s celebrations will not only honor cultural heritage but also highlight the spirit of community, environmental responsibility, and faith that the temple represents.
