Illuminated night: People standing in between rows of lit earthen lamps on the banks of the Saryu river during Deepotsav celebrations, an event organised by the Uttar Pradesh state government on the eve of Diwali in Ayodhya, India. — AP
Millions of Indians began celebrating the annual Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, by symbolically lighting a record 2.51 million earthen oil lamps at dusk on Wednesday on the banks of the Saryu river in a northern Indian city they believe to be the birthplace of the deity, Lord Ram.
Diwali is the most important festival of the year in India – for the Hindu majority in particular. It is marked by socialising and exchanging gifts with loved ones.
Many lit earthen oil lamps, candles, and fireworks were set off. In the evening, a special prayer was dedicated to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to bring luck and prosperity.
A Guinness World Records team presented a certificate to Uttar Pradesh state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, acknowledging the unprecedented number of oil lamps that exceeded last year’s 2.2 million while drone cameras closely monitored the event.
The celebrations took place within the northern city of Ayodhya where nine months ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened a controversial Hindu temple dedicated it to Lord Ram.
The temple was built on the ruins of a historic mosque following a Supreme Court decision, which was seen as a political win for the populist leader. — AP
