Ayodhya: The sacred city of Ayodhya celebrated Diwali this year with grandeur, marking a historic Deepotsav that set two Guinness World Records and drew attention both for its spiritual spectacle and its political undertones.
The festival illuminated the ghats of the Saryu River with 26.17 lakh earthen lamps, while 2,128 devotees performed a perfectly synchronised aarti, creating a breathtaking display of devotion and visual splendour.
The achievement was formally recognised with a Guinness World Records certificate, further establishing Ayodhya as a global hub of spiritual celebration.
Cabinet Minister Anil Rajbhar described the event as a proud demonstration of India’s cultural heritage. “Deepotsav has acquired a new dimension,” he said.
“Record after record is being set. The sight of our revered seers participating in the aarti was truly magnificent. This Diwali has taken on a new hue, and the country is rejoicing.”
The political dimension of the festival was palpable. Rajbhar responded to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s remarks on the opposition, who, he said, “honour Babar but disregard Lord Ram.”
He criticised previous governments for their alleged neglect of Ayodhya’s spiritual significance before 2017, contrasting it with the current administration’s engagement with the city’s cultural legacy.
Rajbhar also dismissed criticism from Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, calling it a product of a “foreign mentality” and urging the opposition to focus on internal affairs and upcoming elections in Bihar.
“Ayodhya has once again demonstrated the enduring power of faith and tradition,” he added.
“This Deepotsav is more than a celebration—it is a message of peace and cultural continuity.”
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who presided over the festivities, emphasised the cultural renaissance under his leadership and critiqued rival parties for what he described as historical apathy toward the city’s heritage.
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His comments were met with enthusiastic applause from the crowd, reaffirming Ayodhya’s spiritual significance.
Political jabs continued outside the celebrations as Akhilesh Yadav highlighted the absence of Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s name in government Diwali advertisements, hinting at potential fissures within the ruling party.
Amidst the political exchanges, the Deepotsav itself remained the showstopper.
The synchronized aarti, the shimmering stretch of diyas along the riverbanks, and the resonant chants transformed the ghats into a vivid tableau of devotion, capturing the imagination of thousands of attendees and viewers worldwide.
