1.51 crore lamps illuminate Uttar Pradesh, 26 lakh shine in Ayodhya Dham: CM Yogi

Ayodhya, Oct 19: A record 1.51 crore lamps illuminated Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, with 26 lakh diyas lighting up Ayodhya Dham, as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led the grand celebrations of Deepotsav 2025, a spectacle he described as “the triumph of faith over centuries of struggle.”

Speaking at the coronation ceremony of Lord Shri Ram at Ramkatha Park, the Chief Minister said, “In Ayodhya, every particle exudes dignity, every lamp radiates compassion, and Lord Shri Ram dwells in every heart.” Recalling the origins of Diwali, he said that the festival began when Ayodhya welcomed Lord Ram after years of exile, transforming darkness into light.

“To preserve that sacred tradition, Deepotsav began in 2017 with 1.71 lakh lamps. Today, in its ninth year, 26 lakh lamps illuminate Ayodhya Dham, while 1.51 crore diyas shine across Uttar Pradesh, an expression of devotion, pride, and unity,” he said. Before his address, CM Yogi honoured leading saints and mahants, including Mahant Nritya Gopal Das Ji Maharaj, Dr. Raghavacharya Ji Maharaj, and Dr. Ramvilas Vedanti Ji Maharaj, presenting them with garlands, robes, and mementoes as a mark of reverence.

He told devotees that the countless lamps lit across the state were “not just symbols of festivity, but reflections of the unwavering resolve of every Indian.” These diyas, he said, “signify the victory of faith over 500 years of darkness and oppression.” The Chief Minister observed that Ayodhya, once synonymous with neglect, now shines as India’s capital of faith and a global center of spiritual tourism. “This Deepotsav proves that no politics can imprison faith. Ayodhya has reclaimed its identity as Ayodhya Dham—a sacred city that embodies the victory of truth and the ideals of Sanatan Dharma,” he said.

CM Yogi also recalled the struggles surrounding the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, noting that there was a time when “Lord Ram was called a myth in court.” He said, “They fired bullets, we are lighting lamps in Ayodhya. They locked the temple, but with the blessings of saints, we have built a grand abode for Lord Ram. This is the victory of devotion.”

He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for transforming Ayodhya into a global spiritual capital. “Under the Prime Minister’s vision, Ayodhya is now clean, developed, and spiritually vibrant. Today, 6 to 10 crore devotees visit Ayodhya every year,” he said, adding that the Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram on January 22, 2024, marked a “historic fulfillment of centuries-old devotion.”

The Chief Minister said that Ayodhya’s transformation represents the essence of Ram Rajya, where “poverty, sorrow, and ignorance find no place.” He highlighted government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala Yojana, and free rations during the pandemic as part of that vision.

“Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a model of law, order, and good governance. Festivals are now celebrated in peace and harmony. The state that once feared violence during festivities now shines as a beacon of safety, prosperity, and faith,” he said.

He also announced that statues of revered saints—Tyagaraja, Purandara Das, and Maha Swami Arunachal Kavi—have been installed near Brihaspati Kund, alongside memorials for Lata Mangeshkar and great acharyas such as Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya around the Ram Janmabhoomi complex.

“Every corner of Ayodhya narrates a divine story,” CM Yogi said. “From Nishad Raj and Mata Shabari to the humble squirrel that helped build the Ram Setu—each act of devotion, however small, is sacred. In the same spirit, every citizen’s effort is shaping the divine and developed India of today.” As lamps glittered along the Saryu River and chants of “Jai Shri Ram” echoed across the city, Ayodhya stood resplendent - a living symbol of faith, culture, and the timeless spirit of Bharat.