Ayodhya bathed in light for UP’s showpiece Deepotsav, and a peek at Ram Temple construction site

UP govt is gearing up to make Ayodhya the most-visited religious pilgrimage site in the world. CM says development projects worth Rs 661 crore have been sanctioned for the town.

Yogi Adityanath addresses the public at Ram Katha Park in Ayodhya Wednesday. Seen alongside are actors dressed as Lord Ram, Sita, Laxman and Hanuman | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Ayodhya: “We’ll restore the Diwali of the treta yug (when Hindu deity Ram is believed to have lived). And then Ayodhya will become as prosperous as it was then,” Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Wednesday to a thunderous applause and chants of “Jai Shri Ram” from the audience. 

He was making an address at his government’s showpiece Deepotsav event — a three-day celebration of Diwali — at Ayodhya, which is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram.

The grandeur of the event is a bid to restore the “glory of Ayodhya”, according to the state government. 

The event featured swanky laser shows, a sound-and-light retelling of the story behind Diwali, and the lighting of over 9 lakh diyas in the holy town — 7 lakh on the banks of the Saryu river. 

The government is gearing up to make Ayodhya the most-visited religious pilgrimage site in the world. The chief minister said development projects worth Rs 661 crore have been sanctioned for the town, where the Ram Temple is currently being constructed.

A cut-out of Lord Ram at the Ram Katha Park, where CM Yogi Adityanath and other BJP leaders gave speeches during the Deepotsav | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performs ‘raj tilak’ of two actors dressed as Ram and Sita at Ram Katha Park. Diwali is celebrated in honour of Ram, Sita, and Laxman’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Devotees celebrate Hanuman Jayanti at the ancient Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya Wednesday | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Devotees at the Hanuman Garhi temple | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Journalists were given special access to the Ram Janmabhoomi, where the Ram Temple is currently under construction | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Gopal Das, a member of the Ramjanmabhoomi trust, which is overseeing the temple construction, said he’s hopeful the mandir will be completed by 2023. That’s in time for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

CM Yogi Adityanath arrives for Deepotsav in Ayodhya | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

PM Modi’s posters at the Ram Katha Park in Ayodhya | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Over 9 lakh diyas were lit in Ayodhya Wednesday as the UP government aimed for a fresh world record. The majority of these were lit on the banks of the Saryu river | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Ayodhya decorated with lights for Diwali | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Crowd gathered for Deepotsav at Ayodhya | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Diwali celebrations at Ayodhya | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Pilgrims arrive for Deepotsav | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Cut-outs of Lord Ram at the site of the Ram Temple construction | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Disclosure: ThePrint is in Ayodhya as a guest of the UP government for the event.