Published 19:33 IST, October 23rd 2019
Ayodhya Deepotsav accorded 'State Fair' status by Yogi government
In a cabinet meeting chaired by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, it has been decided that the upcoming Ayodhya Deepotsav will be accorded "State Fair" status.
In a Cabinet meeting chaired by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, it has been decided that the upcoming Ayodhya Deepotsav, which will conclude a day before Diwali this year, will be accorded the status of "State Fair". A decision has also been made for the administration to be a watchdog over funds allocated for the Ayodhya Deepotsav. This is done to prevent any misuse of public funds.
Grand festivities
Ayodhya Deepotsav will be organised from October 24 to October 26, in Ayodhya where artists from six different countries will perform on "Ramleela". Different cultural programmes are planned during the three days State Fair. CM Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to take part in the fair on the last day i.e. October 26. As per the reports, to mark grand celebrations of Diwali in Ayodhya 5.5 lakh earthen diyas will be illuminated on the banks of river Saryu in the presence of Adityanath. Last year, the UP government had set a Guinness World Record by illuminating around 3.01 lakh diyas and keeping them lit for at least 45 minutes.
While speaking on the grand celebrations planned in Ayodhya, national secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Tarun Chugh said, "Lord Shri Ram is our idol and every Indian celebrates his homecoming after his victory of good over evil and UP government is organising a grand event in Ayodhya. A similar event was organised last year too and this is a matter of great pride for us. This also sends out a clear message that we all must work for the unity of country and should follow the path shown by Lord Ram."
"We believe that such events should have been organised soon after we got independence but previous governments always shied from taking the name of Lord Ram but today it's a matter of national pride that we celebrate such events. Under previous regimes too, people celebrated Diwali but now there is a lot of difference in the way of celebrating. Previous governments just believed in the politics of appeasement," he further added.
Tourism Ministers of all states and many foreign dignitaries will attend this festival. The Department of Culture will also stage Ramleela in five countries among which the one in the Philippines and China will be special. Actors from the state will participate in Thailand’s Ramleela, while artists from Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia will give an artistic tribute through their paintings on Ramayana.
Updated 22:12 IST, October 23rd 2019