Ayodhya achieved two Guinness World Records during the eighth edition of Deepotsav on Wednesday, marking a significant celebration ahead of Diwali. The records were for the most people performing ‘aarti’ simultaneously and the largest display of oil lamps.
The event took place across 55 ghats, including Ram ki Paidi, along the banks of the Saryu River, where over 25 lakh earthen lamps (diyas) were lit simultaneously, and 1,121 ‘vedacharyas’ (teachers of religious texts) performed ‘aarti’ together. Drones were used to count the diyas.
Pravin Patel, the Guinness World Records adjudicator, announced the achievements during a verification visit to Ayodhya. “With a total of 1,121, UP Tourism, the Ayodhya district administration, and Saryu Aarti Samiti, you are now the Guinness World Records title holder for the most people performing diya rotations simultaneously. Congratulations!” he declared.
Regarding the second record, Patel said, “With a total of 25,12,585, which is just over 25 lakh, UP Tourism, the Government of UP, the Ayodhya district administration, and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, you hold the new Guinness World Records title for the largest display of oil lamps!”
He expressed his delight in verifying two record titles and noted that the “most people performing diya rotations (aarti) simultaneously” is a brand new record, requiring a minimum of 250 diyas to qualify.
The previous record for the largest display of oil lamps was 22,23,676, set during Deepotsav in 2023. “While numbers are essential, adhering to guidelines is equally important, and you have successfully met the criteria for both records,” Patel emphasized.
Deepotsav, celebrated since 2017 a day before Diwali, is a dazzling event featuring the lighting of diyas along the Saryu River, revered as the birthplace of Lord Ram.
The UP government credited teachers from Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, students, voluntary organizations, local representatives, and the tourism and culture ministry for their roles in this record-setting achievement.
The milestone was confirmed by a Guinness World Records representative after drone assessments. Upon receiving the certificate, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated Ayodhya, the state, and the nation on this remarkable accomplishment.
The scale of Deepotsav has grown significantly over the years, with 1.71 lakh diyas lit in 2017, rising 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, and 22.23 lakh in 2023. This year, over 25.12 lakh diyas were lit, symbolizing the prosperity and growing pride of the state under the Yogi government.
