Ayodhya (UP), Oct 30 (Reporter) The city of Lord Ram Ayodhya was transformed into a breathtaking spectacle on Wednesday as it gleamed with the light of 2,512,585 diyas. The extraordinary display of illumination occurred on the Chaturdashi of the Krishna Paksha in Kartik month, captivating all who beheld its surreal beauty. Residents of Lord Shri Ram’s city, along with devotees from every corner of India, gazed in awe, finding the presence of their beloved Ram in every particle of Avadhpuri. The chants of 'Ram, Jai Jai Shri Ram' echoed through the air, amplifying the celebration’s sacred energy. This Deepotsav held a unique significance for all present, as every heart brimmed with excitement and joy. For the first time in 500 years, after the consecration of Lord Shri Ram in his divine and grand temple on January 22, 2024, all of India came together to celebrate by lighting lamps at the feet of the Lord. For the first time, Ayodhya’s Deepotsav witnessed lamps of faith, joy, and devotion shining brightly in the divine presence of Lord Shri Ram. Thousands gathered to convey their deep reverence, feeling a profound connection to the Lord as the banks of the Saryu glimmered with 2,512,585 lamps. The atmosphere was filled with the heartfelt chants of 'Ram Ram Jai Raja Ram', 'Jai Siya Ram', and 'Siyavar Ramchandra ki Jai'. The entire city of Avadhpuri was beautifully adorned for Deepotsav with the temples, narrow lanes, main streets and all government and religious buildings glowing with dazzling lights. Homes throughout the city also shone brightly, adding to the festival's breathtaking beauty. Ayodhya shone brightly as lamps illuminated every home, math, temple, and ashram. Over 35 lakh lamps were lit across the city, with 25,12,585 of them adorning 55 ghats, including Ram ki Paidi. This grand spectacle was made possible by more than 30,000 volunteers from Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, along with local colleges, inter-colleges and voluntary organisations. These dedicated volunteers carefully prepared and lit each lamp, placing oil wicks in them to ensure a brilliant display. The effort was led by Vice Chancellor Prof Pratibha Goyal, with nodal officer Sant Sharan Mishra and media in-charge Vijayendu Chaturvedi supervising the event. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, among others, performed aarti for Shri Ram, Maa Sita, Laxman, Bharat, Shatrughan, Hanuman and the revered sages at Ram Katha Park in Ayodhya. During the ceremony, the song 'Ram Aaye Awadh Nagariya, Deepawali Manao Sakhi, Chalo Deep Se Deep Jalaaye Ki Mangal Gaao Sakhi' filled the air, enhancing the festive atmosphere. On stage, the CM also conducted a symbolic coronation of Shri Ram, celebrating the spirit of Deepotsav. As Ram, Laxman, and Maa Sita descended from the Pushpak Vimaan in Avadhpuri, flower petals rained down from a helicopter, creating a breathtaking display. Yogi also joined in by pulling the chariot, a gesture that deeply moved the gathering in Ayodhya, bringing tears of joy to many eyes. Overwhelmed with reverence, saints, followers of Sanatan Dharma, and the common people offered heartfelt blessings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the CM. Alongside Yogi, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, State Ministers Surya Pratap Shahi, Swatantra Dev Singh, Jaiveer Singh, Satish Chand Sharma, Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi, and MLAs Vedprakash Gupta, Amit Singh Chauhan, Ramchandra Yadav, as well as Legislative Council Member Hariom Pandey and other public representatives and saints, participated in the puja, marking a deeply spiritual and unifying moment in the celebration. When the CM assumed leadership of UP in 2017, he envisioned a grand and divine celebration for Deepotsav in Ayodhya. Since then, the festival has grown in scale each year. Beginning with 1.71 lakh lamps in 2017, the illumination has soared to an impressive 2,512,585 lamps in 2024, casting a radiant glow across Ayodhya. Yogi opened his speech with 'Siyavar Ramchandra Bhagwan, Mata Janaki, Bharat Mata ki Jai, Satya Sanatan Dharma ki Jai, Gomata, Saryu Mata, and Har Har Mahadev'. He concluded with a resounding 'Siyavar Ramchandra ki Jai', encapsulating the spirit of the occasion. ’Ayodhya offered a magnificent glimpse of PM Modi's vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat'. People from diverse languages, cultures, castes, and communities came together to light lamps of faith in the Deepotsav celebration. Ayodhya appeared as mystical as it did in Tretayug, as Deepotsav transformed the city with lamps of devotion illuminating every corner. Toran gates adorned the main entrances of the Shri Ram temple, and the entire city was festooned with several quintals of flowers. Eighteen tableaux were showcased in the morning procession. Artistes from Nepal, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia performed Ramleela, showcasing their unique interpretations of the epic. Over 1,300 artists from across India and the world displayed their talent on this grand stage in Ramnagari. Rangolis decorated key intersections, symbolising wishes for prosperity and unity, creating a festive atmosphere of unparalleled beauty and devotion. For the first time, 1,121 Vedacharyas performed the Saryu Aarti during Deepotsav, held in the divine presence of Shri Ram Lalla. The CM, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and other cabinet members, numerous saints, sages and prominent figures joined in the Aarti, with multiple stages set up for the grand event. For the first time, a spectacular drone show was organised at Deepotsav, with 500 drones crafting the story of Shri Ram in the skies above Ayodhya. The breathtaking display left onlookers moved and captivated. Artists from across India, including the host state UP, added to the celebration with vibrant performances. Beides, UP, artists from states such as Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, Telangana, Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jammu, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Nagpur, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, Chandigarh, Goa and Odisha showcased glimpses of their unique folk cultures, enriching the Deepotsav experience with diverse traditions. The CM and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the UP Tourism mobile app, designed to promote the state’s tourist destinations and services. Following this, the CM released the book Hridaya Mein Ram, authored by Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi. Yogi visited the painting and sculpture exhibition highlighting the life of Lord Shri Ram, organised by the State Lalit Kala Academy at the Saryu Guest House. The exhibition opened on October 28 and showcased a variety of artworks...////...