Ayodhya: Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya on Saturday was illuminated with lakhs of diyas as the temple city celebrated Deepotsav with 22.23 lakh earthen lamps lit at the same time across 51 ghats in Ayodhya to create a new Guinness World Record.

On the eve of Diwali, the temple city, which is located on the bank of the Saryu River, broke its own world record.

Ayodhya began Deepotsav celebrations with the formation of the Yogi Adityanath-led government in 2017. That year, about 51,000 diyas were lit and the number went up to 4.10 lakh in 2019.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Deepotsava is the celebration of the fulfilment of the resolution taken by Lord Ram to end the demonic powers.

The Deepotsav event held at Ram ki Pauri was attended by the diplomats of 54 countries.

"Diwali is celebrated all over India to commemorate the return of Sri Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile,” Yogi said.

"The vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to get global recognition for Ayodhya," the CM said.

“Deepawali marks not only Lord Rama's return from the forest but also his triumphant arrival in Ayodhya after fulfilling his vow to provide security to the forest dwellers, eliminating negative forces and demonic tendencies. It also marks the beginning of Rama Rajya in Ayodhya,” Adityanath said.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of this resolution in 2014 once again to implement the ideals of Rama Rajya in India, where there will be no discrimination between individuals based on caste, creed or religion. "Lord Ram's temple is going to be inaugurated in a grand ceremony here in the coming month of January.”

On this occasion, the Chief Minister especially thanked the 25,000 volunteers who had gathered for the last four days to make the Deepotsava grand.

State Governor Anandi Ben Patel, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, Ministers Surya Pratap Shahi, Jaiveer Singh, Rakesh Sachan, diplomats from 54 countries, Ayodhya MP Lallu Singh, all the MLAs, District Panchayat President, saints, Mahants of various mutts, representatives of BJP, VHP and various cultural social organizations and senior officials of the state government were present on the occasion.