Indians celebrate Diwali by lighting a record number of earthen lamps

LUCKNOW, India (AP) — Millions of Indians began celebrating nan yearly Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, by symbolically lighting a grounds 2.51 cardinal earthen lipid lamps astatine dusk connected Wednesday connected nan banks of nan stream Saryu successful a bluish Indian metropolis they judge to beryllium nan birthplace of nan deity, Lord Ram.

Diwali is nan astir important festival of nan twelvemonth successful India — for nan Hindu mostly successful particular. It is marked by socializing and exchanging gifts pinch loved ones. Many ray earthen lipid lamps, candles, and fireworks are group off. In nan evening, a typical dream is dedicated to nan Hindu goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to bring luck and prosperity.

A Guinness World Records squad presented a certificate to Uttar Pradesh authorities Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, acknowledging nan unprecedented number of lipid lamps, exceeding past year’s 2.2 million. Drone cameras intimately monitored nan event.

The celebrations took spot wrong nan bluish metropolis of Ayodhya wherever Prime Minister Narendra Modi 9 months agone opened a arguable Hindu temple built connected nan ruins of a historical mosque pursuing a Supreme Court decision, seen arsenic a governmental triumph for nan populist leader. The constitution of nan temple dedicated to Lord Ram fulfilled a long-standing request by millions of Hindus

On Wednesday, thousands of volunteers lit lamps, called “Diyas” on riverbanks, lanes, fronts, and roofs of homes.

“More than 30,000 volunteers, chiefly assemblage students, worked meticulously to support nan systematic shape of burning lamps for nan prescribed time,” said Dr. Pratibha Goyal, vice-chancellor of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, who coordinated nan monolithic effort.

The earthen lamps lit on 55 riverfront steps of nan river Saryu created a captivating show passim 1.5 kilometers (1 mile). As nan lamps remained lit for complete 5 minutes, authorities spokesperson Shishir Singh said Ayodhya achieved its seventh consecutive world grounds for nan largest display.

Singh said that astir 91,000 liters (about 24,000 gallons) of mustard lipid were utilized to ray nan lamps.

The arena transformed Ayodhya into a metropolis of lights amid devotional bhajan singing. A laser show depicting scenes from nan epic Ramayana added to nan immersive acquisition and an eco-friendly fireworks show lit nan skyline. Traditional decorations, including elaborate arches and expansive gateways on nan main highways, were successful abundance, capturing nan festive ambiance arsenic people taste performances drew pilgrims to nan streets.

The show besides featured a monolithic praying ceremonial performed by 1,100 priests on riverbanks.

Security was tightened crossed nan city. Paramilitary commandos, explosive detectors, canine squads, face-recognition technology, and real-time monitoring drones were deployed passim nan city, constabulary serviceman Rajkaran Nayyar said.

Major Hindu festivals for illustration Dussehra and Diwali are associated pinch mythological tales of Lord Ram extolling nan virtues of truth, sacrifice, and ethical governance.

Diwali’s main show celebrations will beryllium held crossed nan state connected Thursday.