Ayodhya made an entry into the Guinness World Records when 3.35 lakh diyas (earthen lamps) were lit on the banks of Saryu river on the occasion of Deepotsava here on Tuesday.

Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Awasthi told The Pioneer that UP broke the previous record and officials of the Guinness Book of World Record gave a certificate of 3.015 lakh diyas being aglow at one point of time. As the dusk set in, the ghats were illuminated with colourful fluorescent lights but what added sheen to that majestic grandeur was when earthen lamps were lit by volunteers on the ghats. The flickering lights and their reflection in slow flowing Saryu river gave a new meaning to Diwali – the festival of light. “This attempt got Ayodhya’s name into Guinness World Records as maximum number of diyas were lit at one time at one place,” Awasthi said. “The officials from Guinness Book were there to monitor the whole operation,” he said. A similar attempt was made last year when 1.71 lakh diyas were lit on October 18 during Deepotsava. But Guinness Book officials rejected the claim because it failed to meet the parameters set by the Guinness. Awasthi said as per guidelines, the diyas should remain aglow for at least 45 minutes. Last year, many diyas were blown off because of the windy conditions on the banks of Saryu river. “Therefore, this time we have lit 3.35 lakh diyas and made arrangements to ensure that they should remain aglow for the prescribed time,” he said. The diyas were lit after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the First Lady of South Korea  Kim Jung-sook, the wife of South Korean president Moon Jae-in, performed the aarti.