3L earthen lamps to illuminate Saryu ghats on Diwali eve

LUCKNOW: Three lakh diyas (earthen lamps) will illuminate the Saryu ghats of Ayodhya on the occasion of Deepotsav (November 6) on the Diwali eve. Last year, 187,213 earthen lamps were lit on the banks of the Saryu, setting a world record.

Didiyan, a self- help group working under the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission, will make the earthen lamps which will be placed at the stairs of Ram Ki Paidi on the riverbank, director, Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission, Nagendra Prasad Singh, said on Tuesday.

“We will procure diyas made by Didiyan for Deepotsav in Ayodhya. Other articles prepared by them will also be marketed on this festive occasion,” said Singh.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath and governor Ram Naik will be chief guests at the event in which the South Korean ambassador will also be present.

A Korean troupe will perform at the event.

Preparations are on to make the Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya a grander affair as compared to last year. The self-help group (Didiyan) will be provided with electronic potter’s

LAST YEAR, 187,213 EARTHEN LAMPS WERE LIT ON THE BANKS OF THE SARYU, SETTING A WORLD RECORD. A GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS TEAM CAPTURED THE EVENT WITH CAMCOPTER

wheel to help meet the deadline.

Last year, the state tourism department had organised the event with the help of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Faizabad. Around 200,000 earthen lamps were placed at the stairs of Ram Ki Paidi on the banks of the Saryu.

A Guinness Book of World Records team captured the event with camcopter and confirmed that 187,213 diyas were successfully lit at Ram Ki Paidi.

The Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission runs the self-help group Didiyan in 75 districts across the state for women belonging to the underprivileged section of the society.

The mission also provides funds to these groups to run their own business and imparts training for this.