Diwali: Ayodhya all set to witness another 'glittering' feat

LUCKNOW: A day before the celebration of Diwali in the form of Deepotsav in Ayodhya, the temple town was buzzing with excitement and anticipation on Tuesday. More than 12,000 volunteers spent the day decorating the ghats of the Saryu river with nine lakh diyas which will be lit on Chhoti Diwali on Wednesday in an attempt to break the previous record of six lakh diyas illuminated last year.
On Wednesday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath, governor Anandiben Patel, Union minister for culture and tourism GK Reddy and several other ministers and seers will welcome actors playing the role of Ram, Sita and Laxman as they returned to Ayodhya after the end of 14 years exile. An official from the UP tourism department said the actors will arrive in a chopper symbolising the Pushpak Viman and then travel by chariots to the main venue where their "rajya abhishek" will be done by the dignitaries. The event will conclude with the lighting of diyas along the ghats and across the city, followed by a laser show and cultural programmes, the official said.

A massive cleanliness drive started in Ayodhya early on Tuesday where major roads like the one in front of Hamumangarhi and the ghats were cleaned up, followed by a procession by jhankis or tableaus in which people dressed as characters from the Ramayan were travelling. Most of the city was barricaded by early morning and a huge police presence ensured a slightly tense atmosphere.
On the ghats, around 12,000 volunteers, including students from 15 degree colleges, five inter colleges, 44 NGOs and 35 departments of the university, placed diyas and drew rangoli. "Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has dispatched diyas made of cow dung for Ayodhya which will also be lit. On Wednesday, the volunteers will place the cotton wicks and oil in the diyas and have them ready for the Deepotsav at 6.15pm," said Professor Shailendra Verma, who was overseeing the arrangements.

Local MLA Ved Prakash said that celebrations would be held at all major crossings in the city which would be lit up with diyas, lights and decorated with rangoli. Locals took up the work of organising programmes at the crossings with several hosting various cultural programmes on Tuesday. "For those who cannot visit the main celebrations on Wednesday, LED screens will be set up across the city to allow them to participate virtually," he said.

Tuesday, when a high volume of devotees is present in the city to pray at the Hanumangarhi temple, saw a massive rush on the road outside. Most residents were excited about Wednesday and also relieved at the return of visitors post Covid. "We had celebrated Deepotsav last year too but it was just after the first wave of Covid and there were fewer people then. Since then, the second wave also hit us and business has been affected massively. It is such a relief seeing people return, especially now that construction of the Ram Temple is also starting," said Arun Gupta, a sweetshop owner.