AYODHYA: Uttar Pradesh Government, has planned a big religious programme here during Diwali festival when they will once again try to make a world record during the Deepotsava programme in the birthplace of Lord Ram by lighting over 3 lakh earthen lamps on the banks of river Saryu.
The three days programme to be attend by UP Governor Ram Naik, chief minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries.
But the main attraction in this three-day Diwali celebrations will be the presence of First Lady of South Korea Kim Jung-sook, the wife of South Korean president Moon Jae-in.
She will attend the programme on the last day on November 6, when the 3 lakh earthen lamps would be lightened. The foundation laying ceremony for the Rs 50-crore memorial of Queen Hur Hwang-ok, also known as Suriratna, a princess of Ayodhya who went to South Korea and married the king, would also be held during the celebrations.
Last year, Diwali celebrations in the temple town were limited to one day only while this time they have been extended to three days from November 4 to 6.
Governor Ram Naik, CM Yogi, cabinet ministers and thousands of pilgrims would attend the mega celebrations arranged by the State Government to bring Ayodhya on global tourist map.
The Government has again arranged helicopters to recreate the scene of Ram homecoming along with Sita after killing demon king Ravan. The organisers are planning to light close to three lakh earthen lamps on Saryu banks in Ayodhya in 2017, but UP attempted to light 1.71 earthen lamps in its Guinness record bid.
The attempt, sources said, failed following a dispute over whether a section of diyas in the front row remained illuminated for the required duration of five minutes or not.
The Guinness team allows a 10 per cent error factor which could not be achieved. Meanwhile Faizabad District magistrate Dr Anil Kumar told UNI here on Sunday that potters all over Ayodhya and around are making diyas and a team of Guinness experts team would be reaching Ayodhya next week for preliminary assessment.
The lamps would be lit on Ram Ki Paidi by over 5,000 volunteers. CM Yogi Adityanath would illuminate the first special diya having a diameter of 16 feet.
The state tourism department is organising a series of events to celebrate Diwali in Ayodhya. All prominent buildings, temples and ghats in city are being decorated while many cultural programmes are being organised for the grand event.
Meanwhile the Government has released the entire programme of the Deepotsava starting from November 4. On the first day, a competition for best Ram and Sita would be held at Ram ki Pedi from 1100 hours to 1200 hours where the first prize winner would be Rs 51,000 cash, the DM said.
On the second day, Rangoli competition would be held at different places in Ayodhya while on November 4 and 5, Ramlila would be staged by different countries at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Awadh University auditorium between 1800 to 2000 hours.
The Ramlilas would be performed by the artists and group from Sri Lanka, Laos, Indonesia , Trinidad and Tobago along with other countries. The DM said that the main function would be held on November 6 , when a Sobha Yatra( religious procession) would be brought out at 1300 hours from Saket college where 15 tableaux showing different acts of Lord Ram.
The procession would end at Ramkatha park. Among the tableaux, four would be displayed by artists from foreign countries like Korea, Laos, Russia and Indonesia. A Korean cultural team would give a performance at Queen Memorial while later Ram Bazar would be inaugurated at Ramkatha museum. Padmashri Surdarshan Patnaik will also make a sculpture of Lord Ram in the sand near Queen memorial park.
In the evening at 1800 hours, the dignitaries would attend the programme of lightning of the 3 lakh earthen diyas at Ram ki padi on the banks of river Saryu.
The CM will also honour the Ramlila artists of different countries and in the night Ramlila of different countries would be performed along with a cultural dance by Korean team. (AGENCIES)
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