Millions of Indians joyously celebrated Diwali in Lucknow, India, setting a new Guinness World Record for the number of bright earthen oil lamps lit. This annual Hindu festival of light is a symbol of the triumph of light over darkness and is celebrated with dazzling, multi-colored lights that adorn homes and streets across the country.
The highlight of the celebration was the massive lighting of over 2.22 million oil lamps at the Saryu River in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, the birthplace of the revered Hindu deity, Lord Ram.
For more information on Diwali: Discover the significance of Diwali and how it is celebrated in India and around the world.
As dusk fell, these earthen lamps burned for 45 minutes while Hindu religious hymns filled the air, marking a new world record. The event was honored with a record certificate presented to the state’s top elected official Yogi Adityanath by representatives from the Guinness Book of World Records.
Preparations for this new record involved over 24,000 volunteers, mainly college students, who joined in the festivities with great enthusiasm.
People light earthen lamps on the banks of Saryu River on the eve of Diwali festival, in Ayodhya, India, Nov.11, 2023. Hindus across the world celebrate Diwali, the festival of light which marks the return of Lord Rama from exile to his kingdom and the triumph of light over darkness. Photo by Ritesh Shukla/Getty Images
Diwali is a national holiday in India, celebrated with socializing, exchanging gifts with family and friends, lighting earthen oil lamps or candles, and setting off fireworks. Special prayers dedicated to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, the harbinger of luck and prosperity, are offered in the evening.
To accommodate the surge of people traveling home for the festival, the authorities ran extra trains over the weekend. However, concerns over air quality in India have been growing, with hazardous air pollution levels recorded in several regions of the country.
During the festival, unexpected rain and strong winds temporarily improved air quality levels, but concerns remain high about the pollution that results from the fireworks used during the celebrations.
As such, steps have been taken to address the problem, including the closing of primary schools and limiting polluting vehicles and construction work in Delhi. The use of water sprinklers, anti-smog guns, and masks has also been implemented to combat the severe air pollution. In addition, some Indian states have banned the sale of fireworks and other restrictions to reduce pollution.
This year’s Diwali celebrations also coincided with preparations to inaugurate a long-awaited temple of the Hindu god Ram at the site of a demolished 16th-century Babri mosque in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. This follows a Supreme Court’s verdict in 2019 allowing a temple to be built in place of the destroyed mosque.
The spirit of Diwali, with its vibrant traditions and festivities, is juxtaposed against the serious environmental and societal concerns that the country faces, showcasing the complex and diverse nature of India’s cultural and social landscape.
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