On Deepotsav, Ayodhya city will be transformed into a heaven, with 12 lakh lamps illuminating God Ram's city.

On Monday evening, the Deepotsav celebrations in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya area began on a big scale. This year, the state government has decided to light up the sacred city of Ayodhya with 12 lakh clay lamps, nine lakh of which would be lit on the banks of the river Saryu, in an attempt to break its own Diwali record. Ram Ki Paidi will be illuminated by nine lakh clay diyas. For the big celebrations, the beautiful 'Ram Ki Paidi' Ghat was studded with colourful lights. On the eve of Diwali on Wednesday, the ghat will be illuminated with nine lakh earthen diyas as part of Deepotsav celebrations.

On Wednesday, the Ayodhya government will attempt to set a Guinness World Record by burning diyas (earthen lamps) at Ram Ki Paidi. The city of Ayodhya and the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department have enlisted the help of 12,000 volunteers to light the diyas. Last year, during the "Deepotsav" to commemorate the event, over six lakh clay lamps were lit, setting a world record. Deepotsav is being conducted for the sixth year in a row, and the scale of the event has grown with each passing year.

The staging of Ram Lilas, a 3D holographic display, laser show, and fireworks will be part of the five-day-long celebrations, which begin Monday, according to a statement released by the state government. The festivities kicked off with the opening of Shilp Bazar in Ram Katha Park.

On the first day of the festival, Nagpur's legendary Watkar sisters, Bhagyashri and Dhanashri, performed a musical interpretation of the Ramayana. Kathak dance was performed by Isha and Misha Ratan from Lucknow, and famed bhajan singer Anoop Jalota thrilled the audience with his religious melodies. A Ramayana performance was given by a troop of artists from Janakpur, Nepal. For the auspicious occasion, all temples in Ayodhya have been decked and illuminated, including those in Ayodhya's small lanes and by ways.

Ved Prakash Gupta, BJP MLA from Ayodhya, said, "Deepotsav celebrations began in Ayodhya on Monday. The entire city has been spruced up. The main event is scheduled on Wednesday, which will be presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath."

Earthen diyas will also be used to illuminate thirty-two other ghats in Ayodhya. On Deepotsav, the state government is hosting an airborne drone exhibition for the first time. Around 500 drones will depict scenes from the Ramayana on the skyline of Ayodhya. A 3-D holographic show, 3-D projection mapping, and laser show will also be held at the picturesque Ram Ki Paidi on the banks of the river Saryu.