Uttar Pradesh's 8th Deepotsav to Set a New World Record with Eco-Friendly Celebrations

Uttar Pradesh's 8th Deepotsav: The Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh is preparing for the eighth Deepotsav festival in Ayodhya, which coincides with the first Diwali celebration at the newly constructed Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple. This year’s celebration is set to be environmentally friendly and grand, aiming to highlight eco-conscious practices during the festive season.

Lighting 28 Lakh Lamps Along the Saryu River

A major highlight of this year’s Deepotsav is lighting 28 lakh eco-friendly lamps along the Saryu River to set a new world record. These lamps are specially designed to prevent soot and stains, ensuring the Ram temple’s structure remains unaffected while staying illuminated for longer.

Eco-Conscious Approach

The Uttar Pradesh government has emphasized environmental protection during this Deepotsav. Special wax lamps that produce minimal carbon emissions will be used to protect the temple and its surroundings from soot damage. Additionally, the Ram temple complex will feature unique floral decorations, with specific sections assigned to various teams to manage the setup.

Supervision and Decorations

Ashu Shukla, a retired Inspector General from the Bihar cadre, is overseeing the lighting arrangements, decorative entrance arches, and cleanliness across the temple grounds. According to the temple trust, Ayodhya is not only to be a place of devotion but a symbol of cleanliness and environmental consciousness during this Diwali.

Extended Temple Hours for Visitors

To make the Deepotsav memorable, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra has decided to keep the temple open for ‘Bhavan Darshan’ from October 29 to November 1, allowing visitors to admire the festive decorations until midnight. Entry for visitors will be available through Gate No. 4B, where they can enjoy the grandeur of the temple decorations.

Massive Volunteer Support for Diwali Preparations

Over 30,000 volunteers, including students from colleges and NGOs, are decorating 55 ghats along the Saryu river under the guidance of 2,000 supervisors, coordinators, and ghat in-charges. A notable feature of the celebrations is an intricate Swastik symbol formed with 80,000 diyas at ghat number 10 on Ram Ki Paidi, which more than 150 volunteers are helping to create.

Aiming for a New World Record

On Chhoti Diwali, October 30, a new world record is expected as 28 lakh diyas will be lit simultaneously. Volunteers are meticulously arranging these lamps in grids along the ghats, each diya containing 30 ml of mustard oil, with arrangements supported by clean drinking water and food provisions for the participants. The final arrangements and counting of diyas are scheduled for October 28 and October 29, respectively.

A Call for National Unity and Strength

Earlier this year, an idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple in a ceremony led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who emphasized the need to build a "strong, capable, and divine" India beyond the construction of the grand temple. This year’s Deepotsav, focusing on environmental consciousness, will serve as a global example of combining tradition with sustainability.

Also read: Diwali 2024: A Festival Celebrated in Different Ways Across India

Summary

The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is set to host its eighth Deepotsav in Ayodhya, marking the first Diwali at the newly built Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple. Aiming to set a world record, the event will feature the lighting of 28 lakh eco-friendly lamps along the Saryu River, designed to minimize soot and carbon emissions. The festival highlights environmental consciousness, with special wax lamps and floral decorations adorning the temple complex. Over 30,000 volunteers are participating in the preparations, including creating a Swastik symbol with 80,000 diyas. The temple will remain open for extended hours from October 29 to November 1 for visitors. This Deepotsav celebrates not only Ayodhya’s religious heritage but also a commitment to cleanliness and sustainability.