Ram Janmabhoomi Deepotsav adds sparkle to Diwali

After more than 500 years, earthern lamps were lit to illuminate the Ram Janmabhoomi site here on Diwali. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lighted lamps during the ‘Deepotsav’ programme in the city on November 13.

According to Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust chief Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, “It was a real Diwali this year, which celebrated the return of Lord Ram after a prolonged exile.”

State Tourism Minister Neelkanth Tiwari said that more than 5 lakh lamps were lit on the occasion of Diwali. “If there was no coronavirus pandemic, lakhs of devotees would have participated in this programme,” he pointed out.

The Chief Minister had already directed that separate programmes should be organised daily during ‘Deepotsav 2020’, following the COVID protocols.

Around 5.51 lakh earthen lamps were also lit at Ram Ki Paidi in Ayodhya. Diwali was celebrated across the country on November 14.

All monasteries and houses were illuminated in the holy city on Diwali. Singing of ‘bhajans’ and Ramayana recitals were held in monasteries. A grand decoration of Ayodhya on the Festival of Lights was also done.

Illumination at all temples, including Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, Kanak Bhawan, Ram Ki Paidi, and Hanuman Garhi was done through electric lighting.

The devotees, however, participated through the virtual platforms. A digital broadcast of the Diwali programmes was done for the devotees who were not able to physically visit the temples owing to coronavirus restrictions.

Ever since it came to power in Uttar Pradesh in 2017, the BJP government has been organising grand ‘Deepotsav’ or Festival of Lights in Ayodhya on Diwali every year.