5 Lakh ‘Diyas’ to be Lit in Ayodhya This Diwali

Around fivelakhs 'diyas' (earthen lamps) will be lit in Ayodhya on the eve ofDiwali this year with an aim to create a new world record.

Ayodhya brokea Guinness World Record last year by lighting more than three lakh earthenlamps and keeping them burning for at least 45 minutes on the banks of RiverSaryu as part of the Diwali celebration.

Lighting ofearthen lamps also gives a message to aware people not to lit the houses withartificial lights but rather to light the house with the earthen lamps which isenvironment friendly.

Hundreds ofpotters are engaged in making diyas for the mega event in which Uttar PradeshChief Minister Yogi Adityanath is taking a keen interest. An estimated 25,000litres of oil will be used to light up the diyas.

The ChiefMinister said that they had initially planned 3.5 lakhs diyas, but the numberof diyas could go up to 5 lakhs as the temples are also being included.

The festivalof Deepotsav in Ayodhya will be held from October 24 to 26 this year.

Besides thebanks of Saryu, the temples and monuments will also be illuminated.

There will bestreet lighting, and "maha aarti" on the Saryu Ghats. Alight-and-sound fireworks show, cultural programmes, a drone show and thearrival of Lord Rama and Sita by helicopter are also planned to make Diwalicelebrations bigger this year.