Following the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, the entire city will glow with the radiance of 10 lakh diyas in the evening. On the call of the double engine government, ‘Ram Jyoti’ will be lit at houses, shops, religious places and historic sites.
Previously, when Lord Ram returned from exile, Diwali was celebrated in Ayodhya by lighting diyas. Now, after the completion of the consecration ceremony, Diwali will be celebrated again by lighting ‘Ram Jyoti.’ The Yogi government, which has been organizing the ‘Deepotsav’ for the last seven years, will once again adorn Ayodhya with diyas on January 22, attracting the attention of the world with its divine splendor.
Since assuming power in 2017, the Yogi government has been organizing Deepotsav annually. In 2017, the government adorned Ayodhya with 1.71 lakh diyas, and in the 2023 Deepotsav, a new record was set with 22.23 lakh diyas.
The Tourism Department is actively preparing for this grand event. Notably, diyas will be lit at 100 temples, major intersections, and public places, including Ram Temple, Ram Ki Paidi, Kanak Bhawan, Hanuman Garhi, Guptar Ghat, Sarayu Ghat, Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, Maniram Das Chavani, and other prominent locations.
The Yogi government has urged the entire nation to celebrate this historic occasion as a festival. Following the consecration ceremony, every citizen is encouraged to light diyas in their homes in evening. The government has appealed to people to illuminate not only their homes but also shops, commercial establishments (hotels, factories, plants, etc.), offices (government and private), and historical and religious sites with lamps. Through the radiance of ‘Ram Jyoti,’ the entire atmosphere will be imbued with a Lord Ram-inspired aura.
Regional Tourism Officer RP Yadav mentioned that on the evening of January 22, diyas will be lit at 100 prominent temples and public places. The preparations for this event have been completed. In line with the government’s vision, locally crafted diyas will be used, and local potters are being engaged to provide the diyas. After the main ceremony, there will be substantial public participation, involving the community in large-scale celebrations along with the government.
Meanwhile, as per Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s instructions, the Forest Department is decorating Ayodhya ahead of Ram Temple inauguration. The team is actively engaged in developing a lush green Ayodhya with all its major streets, whether it is Dharampath or Rampath, being decked up with plants and flowers to captivate beholders.
It is part of the Yogi government’s efforts to revive the grandeur of the Treta Yuga in Ayodhya.
The Ram Path, connecting Saadatganj to the new ghat, has been beautified rapidly by the Forest Department. Along the three-kilometer stretch of the road median, Bougainvillea plants have been planted. The Ram Path has been adorned with four colors of Bougainvillea – pink, purple, white, and saffron.
On the two-kilometer stretch from Saket Petrol Pump to Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, Terrorojia and Bougainvillea have been planted on the median. This is adding to the beauty of the Dharmapath. The street is adorned with three varieties of Bougainvillea, pink, white, and purple. These three colors have also been planted on the side dividers.
The Forest Department has established Nandan Van near the banks of the Sarayu River and Ram Ki Paidi. In this forest, various species of trees such as Peepal, Pakad, Kadamb, Gutel, and Jamun have been planted. Nandan Van is surrounded by barbed wires from all sides to protect plants and trees from monkeys and cattles.
DFO Shitanshu Pandey said that decorations have been done by the Forest Department on Rampath, Dharampath and Ram Janmabhoomi Path. Divider is being adorned with Bougainvillea. Currently, they have been decorated by planting saplings, as planting trees takes time. According to him, the streets will look even more beautiful two-three years hence with the maturing of the pink and yellow flowers.