Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Sunday that 88 diplomats from 54 countries had visited the new Ayodhya and witnessed the grand ‘Deepotsav’ in the holy city.

Speaking to ANI about the grand Deepotsav, CM Yogi said, “The country and the world have witnessed the Deepotsav of Ayodhya. Diplomats from 54 countries have come and visited the new Ayodhya. The grand ‘Deepotsav’ was part of Prime Minister Modi’s vision. The festival of Diwali is a medium for all of us to transmit positive energy. I wish everyone a very happy Diwali and pray for the well-being of the people of the state.”

The Chief Minister also said those who were not present on the occasion mentioned that they had missed the chance to come to the holy city on the festive day.

“88 diplomats from 54 countries came yesterday (to Ayodhya). Those who were not present here (Ayodhya) texted us that they had missed the chance to come to Ayodhya. Those diplomats) who were present here during Deepotsav said that they should have come with their family, it would have been more delightful,” said CM Yogi.

Earlier today, CM Yogi visited the Hanuman Garhi temple on Sunday morning and offered prayers to Lord Hanuman in Ayodhya on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. He also visited the site of Ram Lala Virajman in Ayodhya and offered prayers.

Ayodhya organised a grand Deepotsav on Saturday and illuminated over 22.23 lakh ‘Diyas’ (earthen lamps) to celebrate the festival of lights.

The temple town set a new Guinness world record by lighting over 22.23 lakh ‘Diyas’ (earthen lamps) during ‘Deepotsav 2023’ and broke its previous world record of 15.76 lakh Diyas lit last year on Diwali eve.

Artists from different countries, such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Russia, performed Ramleela at Ayodhya’s Deepotsav. The residents of Ayodhya were delighted to witness the enactment of Ramleela and the artistic expressions of artists from different countries.

The Sri Lankan artists portrayed the character of Shri Ram, while artists from Janakpur, Nepal, staged incidents from the life of Shri Ram. The Russian artists also delivered a splendid performance.

To make the event more exciting, a light and sound laser show based on the Ramayana was organised for about 20 minutes at Ram Ki Paidi during Deepotsav.

Along with the Chief Minister, Governor Anandiben Patel, foreign diplomats, and members of the Yogi cabinet attended the event.

The Chief Minister also visited the grand 3D holographic show, projection mapping, and laser show based on the Ramayana.

At the Naya Ghat, everyone, including the Chief Minister and other guests, was enthralled by the spectacular musical fireworks.

The homecoming of Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman was staged at a programme organised prior to the mega event Deepotsav.

The occasion was further embellished with the showering of flower petals from a helicopter, eliciting joy throughout Ayodhya.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Himachal Pradesh’s Lepcha today to celebrate Diwali with security personnel. Every year, Prime Minister Modi visits a security installation to celebrate the festival of lights with the men in uniform. The Prime Minister today shared photographs of his visit on his handle on X.

Reached Lepcha in Himachal Pradesh to celebrate Diwali with our brave security forces. pic.twitter.com/7vcFlq2izL

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2023

The photos show him dressed in military fatigues and interacting with security personnel.

“Away from their families, these guardians of our nation illuminate our lives with their dedication,” he added in another post.

Spending Diwali with our brave security forces in Lepcha, Himachal Pradesh has been an experience filled with deep emotion and pride. Away from their families, these guardians of our nation illuminate our lives with their dedication. pic.twitter.com/KE5eaxoglw

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2023

He said the courage of our forces in unwavering. “Stationed in the toughest terrains, away from their loved ones, their sacrifice and dedication keep us safe and secure. India will always be grateful to these heroes who are the perfect embodiment of bravery and resilience,” he said.

The courage of our security forces is unwavering. Stationed in the toughest terrains, away from their loved ones, their sacrifice and dedication keep us safe and secure. India will always be grateful to these heroes who are the perfect embodiment of bravery and resilience. pic.twitter.com/Ve1OuQuZXY

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2023

The Prime Minister posted photos of feeding sweets to security personnel.  

Addressing a gathering of soldiers at Lepcha, Prime Minister Modi said he has spent every Diwali with security personnel at the borders. “My festival is where you are,” he said. “Even when I not a PM or a CM, I would visit soldiers at some or the other border post every Diwali,” he added.

At every Puja across the country, the Prime Minister said, a prayer is said for the soldiers guarding our borders. At every home, one diya is lit for the soldiers, he said. He said security posts where soldiers are deployed are no less than temples.  

Ever since occupying the top office, Prime Minister Modi has spent Diwali with security forces deployed on the borders. During these visits, he interacts with the men in uniform. Last year, he was seen cheering on as security personnel sang during a musical event to mark his visit.

In 2014, the year the BJP came to power, the Prime Minister visited Siachen glacier on Diwali. In 2015, he was at the border in Punjab. The next year, he was near the China border in Himachal Pradesh. In 2017, he was in Kashmir’s Gurez sector. The Prime Minister was at Harsil in Uttarakhand for the 2018 Diwali. The next year he was at Rajouri near Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Prime Minister visited Longewala in Jaisalmer for the 2020 Diwali and Nowshera in Jammu and Kashmir the year after that. Last year, he was at Kargil for Diwali.

In a tragic incident, four members of a family were stabbed to death by an unidentified assailant at Kemmannu in Udupi district on Sunday morning, police said.

According to Police, a masked man forcibly entered the house and brutally attacked Hasina (46) and her three children aged 23, 21 and 12. Another woman was seriously injured in the attack and admitted to a hospital.

Sources said the victim’s husband is working in the Gulf. Udupi District Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar visited the scene of the crime.

The motive behind the murders is yet to be known. Further investigations are on, they said.