LUCKNOW: While the lighting of over 6.6 lakh earthen lamps on the banks of Saryu in Ayodhya got the Guinness recognition, over 10 lakh devotees lit virtual diyas at the Ram Janmabhoomi through the specially designed three-dimensional website on the occasion of Deepotsav.
The website, in fact, crashed only to be swiftly restored to assist lakhs of devotees to zoom into Ayodhya virtually and light up a diya on the eve of Diwali. This was the first Deepotsav which was organised by the UP government after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of a Ram temple at the disputed site.
A government spokesperson said that the Deepotsav became an instant hit for not only creating a record in terms of lighting 6.06 lakh diyas but also because of high public participation through the website which was launched by the UP government to allow devotees to mark their attendance at Ram Darbar.
“The entire Deepotsav became an instant hit because of mass participation,” said the spokesperson. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also participated in the event virtually.
The portal, which was up on November 13, was used by scores of Ram Bhakts to show their faith and devotion to their deity. Devotees had the option to choose the lamps to be lit with oil or ghee. They received certificates and a thank you from CM Yogi Adityanath.
Officials said that it was the downloading of the certificates which showed the quotient of success of the event organised under a shadow of pandemic even as the UP government followed the mandatory protocol.
Congratulating devotees on achieving the feat, CM Yogi said that another record would be created next year. He said that the event also showed how a pollution-free digital Diwali can be celebrated for which people of Ayodhya and beyond should be specially complimented.