Ayodhya dazzled the world on the eve of Diwali as the holy city transformed into a glowing sea of light, setting two Guinness World Records during its annual Deepotsav festivities.
Along the banks of the Saryu River, the temple town achieved the largest display of oil lamps in a single event, with more than 2.6 million diyas lit in perfect coordination.
At the same time, the city secured a second global milestone for the highest number of people performing aarti simultaneously, with 2,128 participants taking part in the sacred ceremony.
The scale of this year’s celebration was unprecedented. The lamps stretched across 56 riverfront ghats, forming vast symmetrical patterns that illuminated the night sky.
Around 33,000 volunteers were mobilized to carefully line up, light, and monitor the lamps, ensuring that each flame remained visible long enough to meet Guinness verification rules.
Drone technology was used to map and count the diyas before the record was officially declared, a process that has become increasingly sophisticated as Ayodhya continues to surpass its own annual milestones.
Deepotsav has grown into one of India’s most visually striking cultural events, rooted in the mythological homecoming of Lord Ram.
The lighting of diyas symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, a core message of Diwali and Ayodhya has embraced the tradition as both a spiritual expression and a modern showcase.
This year, the spectacle blended devotion with grand production: laser shows, Ramayana-themed performances, music, fireworks and mass prayers drew thousands of worshippers, tourists and dignitaries into the city.
As darkness fell and millions of flames mirrored the flow of the Saryu, Ayodhya became more than a place of worship, it became a breathtaking panorama of culture and coordination.
By breaking two world records in one night, the city not only celebrated Diwali, it elevated it, turning a timeless tradition into a global moment of wonder and illumination.
