A beautiful celebration for Diwali has broken the record for the largest display of oil lamps.
The title has been claimed once more by the Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh, District Administration, Ayodhya and Dr. Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University (India).
Their last record of 1,576,944 oil lamps was only set last year.
This time, the amount has increased to 2,223,676 oil lamps, and these were displayed on the eve of Diwali, the annual Hindu festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world.
Traditionally, celebrants lit oil lamps in their homes and places of worship to welcome the religious holiday.
This beautiful oil lamp display was put on to celebrate Diwali 💡 pic.twitter.com/tvM1nS3mED
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) November 17, 2023
The oil lamps used were diyas, rounded clay lamps with cotton wick. These lights symbolize the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
These institutions are no strangers to this feat, having also broken the record back in November 2021 with 941,551, steadily increasing the number of oil lamps throughout the years.
The attempt took place once again in Ayodhya which is said to be the birthplace of the Hindu God Ram.
The oil lamps were sourced through local artisans and partnerships from the local community.
To create the display, the oil lamps were placed on the river banks in individual grids and then placed together to form the larger display.
More than 25,000 volunteers from Dr. Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University, including teachers, professors and the Vice Chancellor took part in the attempt.
Attendees at the event also helped with placing the lamps in what seemed like infinite rows across the river banks.
This time, the oil lamps depicted a monument that can be seen via aerial view.
The current state government, since it came to power, has made efforts to make Ayodhya an upcoming religious tourism hub.
The Deepotsav event, which means festival of lights, is a visual treat to tourists coming to Ayodhya, providing fun events in anticipation of the soon-to-be-opened Shri Ram temple.
Once the attempt was verified by Guinness World Records Adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar, the certificate was presented.
Deepotsav'23 was a culmination of dreams, dedication, and the indomitable spirit of community. Setting a Guinness World Records title is not just about numbers; it's a testament to the power of unity and the magic that unfolds when individuals come together for a shared purpose. We are honoured to have played a role in creating a spectacle that not only broke records but also lit up the hearts of those who witnessed it. Our journey with Guinness World Records continues, and we look forward to many more moments of awe and inspiration. - Nischal Barot, Co-Founder of Kemi's Connect
After the successful attempt, the oil lamps were responsibly managed and repurposed. A significant number were distributed to the community and a mobile app was developed so anyone can order the oil lamps for other cultural and religious events.
With this record being broken every year for the past six years, including earlier this year, we're sure we'll see an even larger display next year!
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