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Ayodhya shines: Ayodhya lit up on Sunday evening for Deepotsav 2025, the ninth edition of the grand festival. A total of 26,17,215 earthen lamps illuminated the holy city as devotees from India and abroad chanted “Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram”. The Uttar Pradesh government confirmed that this year’s festival created two new Guinness World Records. (PTI photo)

Double world record: The first record was for the largest display of oil lamps, which was jointly achieved by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, Ayodhya Administration and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University. The second was for most people performing Aarti together, where 2,128 Vedacharyas, priests and devotees performed Maa Saryu Aarti together, which was verified by the representatives of Guinness World Records. (PTI photo)

Drone verification done: Guinness representatives used drone technology to verify the number of lamps across Ayodhya. The official announcement came after a detailed inspection, in which both world records were confirmed. During the ceremony organized on the banks of Saryu, UP Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh and Principal Secretary Amrit Abhijat handed over Guinness certificates to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. (PTI photo)

Growing Lamp Calculation: The number of lamps has increased continuously since 2017. Starting from 1.71 lakh lamps, the number increased to 3.01 lakh in 2018, 4.04 lakh in 2019, 6.06 lakh in 2020, 9.41 lakh in 2021, 15.76 lakh in 2022, 22.23 lakh in 2023 and 25.12 lakh in 2022. Lakh in 2024. This year, 26.17 lakh lamps are the highest ever since Yogi Adityanath took power. (PTI photo)

Faith and Leadership: Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh said that under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath, Deepotsav has become a symbol of pride and identity. He said, “The whole world today sees Ayodhya as the living embodiment of Ram Rajya.” He said every diya reflects the spirit of “Developed Uttar Pradesh and Developed India”, symbolizing the bringing together of faith, discipline and development. (PTI photo)

Devotion in chorus: Over 32,000 volunteers from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University and local organizations made the lighting possible. Responding to the Chief Minister’s call, residents lit lamps at homes, temples, monasteries and public places. Devotees offered prayers on the banks of river Saryu and temples, streets and ghats were illuminated with millions of lamps. (PTI photo)

Grand Aarti Program: The evening concluded with a mass aarti at Ramkatha Park, which was attended by Adityanath, cabinet ministers and saints. They worshiped Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshmana, Bharat, Shatrughan and Hanuman. As “Ram Aaye Awadh Ki Ore Sajni” was played, flowers were showered from helicopters and the symbolic coronation of Lord Ram added spiritual grandeur to the moment. (PTI photo)

Divine depiction seen: A scene depicting the Pushpak Vimana was recreated using a helicopter, from which the idols of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana descended. The Chief Minister himself pulled this sacred chariot, a symbol of devotion and humility. Devotees described the scene as divine and unforgettable and said that Ayodhya seemed to be reflecting the spirit of the ancient Treta Yuga. (PTI photo)

Saint and Guest: This program received blessings from sages, saints and dignitaries. Prominent attendees included Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Dr. Ram Vilas Vedanti, Raghavacharya Maharaj and Kamal Nayan Das Maharaj. State ministers, officials of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Trust like Champat Rai and Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi also participated and greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chief Minister. (PTI photo)

Cultural extravaganza ends: Earlier in the day, 22 tableaux displayed Ramayana themes while artistes from Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and over 2,000 Indian artists enthralled the visitors. The night concluded with a drone show of 1,100 drones depicting the life of Lord Ram. Later, Adityanath offered prayers at the Ram temple and Ram ki Pauri and concluded the celebrations. (PTI photo)