Wednesday, October 30, marked the eighth 'Deepotsav' in Ayodhya, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath leading the celebrations. The Chief Minister, along with his cabinet members and others, lit the first few lamps to mark the launch of the Deepostav -- the first since the consecration of Ram temple on January 22 this year.
The event also saw a laser and drone show, depicting events from Ramayan. The celebration featured cultural performances from artists representing six countries-Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia-as well as a Ram Leela presentation from Uttarakhand.
To ensure public safety, approximately 10,000 security personnel were deployed throughout the city, with half in plain clothes.
A special arrangement included 80,000 diyas arranged in the shape of a swastika at ghat no. 10, a symbol of auspiciousness and a central attraction for the event.
Security measures include the closure of 17 routes leading to Ram Ki Paidi, allowing access only to pass holders.
A procession with vibrant tableaux bearing characters from Ramayan made its way through the temple town. The procession was received with an 'aarti' by Yogi Adityanath, who also pulled the chariot on which artistes playing Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman were seated.
The characters were brought to Ayodhya earlier in a helicopter, in a nod to the mythical Pushpak Viman referred to in Ramayan.
The Tourism Department's tableaux depicted scenes from Bal Kand, Ayodhya Kand, Aranya Kand, Kishkindha Kand, Sundar Kand, Lanka Kand, and Uttar Kand, taken from Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas.
Special displays illustrated key events from Lord Ram's life -- his education and marriage to Sita, the 14-year exile, Bharat Milaap, Shabri's devotion, Hanuman's journey to Lanka, Ravana's defeat, and his grand return to Ayodhya -- were also mounted during the procession.
