Ayodhya MP says ‘didn’t get invite for Deepotsav’, as temple set to create record with over 2.5 million diyas

As Ayodhya gears to set up two Guinness World Records by lighting over 2.5 million diyas, Samajwadi Party leader and Faizabad’s MP Awadhesh Prasad said on Wednesday, that the Ayodhya administration didn’t invite him to the Deepotsav event. 

The MP accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of “politicising our festivals”. 

Prasad told Indian news agency ANI, “I extend my greetings to all residents of Ayodhya on the occasion of Diwali. I consider it my good fortune that I was elected from here. BJP is politicising our festivals too. I hope this will be a festival of brotherhood. BJP is politicising this festival and dividing people. I have not received a pass or invitation to Deepotsav. This festival doesn’t belong to any one community. I will be going to Ayodhya today. I have not got any pass or invitation for Deepotsav.” 

This is the first Diwali after the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The temple will be featuring two record attempts, a 1100-person Saryu Aarti and the main lamp lighting event with over 2.5 million diyas. 

A 30-member team from the Guinness Book of World Records has arrived in Ayodhya to oversee preparations for Deepotsav.

Watch | India: Ayodhya To Be Lit Up With 28 Lakh Oil Lamps

Guinness Book of World Records Team Incharge, Nischal Barot announced that two world records are set to be attempted during the festivities in Ayodhya. 

“This is the seventh Deepotsav but this time it is a little special because after the Ram Mandir has been built, it is the first Deepotsav. This time there are two Guinness Book of Records, the first is that a record-breaking number of 1100 people will do the Saryu Aarti and the second is lightning of 25 lakh Diyas,” Nischal Barot told ANI. 

Deepotsav, a five-day festival, commemorates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14-year of exile. 

(With inputs from agencies)