Uttar Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and others pull the chariot carrying artists dressed as Lord Rama, Lakshman and goddess Sita during 'Deepotsav' celebrations, in Ayodhya on November 11, 2023. Pic: PTI
CM Adityanath pulls chariot to mark symbolic return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya
Ayodhya (UP), Nov 11 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel Saturday took part in pulling a chariot carrying artistes depicting the fabled return of Lord Ram, his wife Sita and brother Lakshman to Ayodhya on a ‘Pushpak Viman’ after 14 years of exile.
Flowers were also showered on them from a helicopter.
Artists dressed as Lord Rama, Lakshman, goddess Sita and others during 'Deepotsav' celebrations, in Ayodhya, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Pic: PTI
According to an official statement issued on Saturday, Lord Shri Ram's brothers Bharat and Shatrughan welcomed them. From the helipad, Lord Shri Ram boarded the chariot and proceeded towards the venue of Ramkatha Park along with Mata Janaki, his three brothers, Lord Hanuman and Guru Vashishtha.
Apart from Governor Anandi Ben Patel and the chief minister, ministers Jaiveer Singh, Rakesh Sachan and Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra performed the Aarti and paid their respects.
Chief Minister Adityanath also performed the symbolic coronation of Lord Shri Ram.
On this occasion, the governor and the chief minister released a coffee table book based on the Deepotsav of Ayodhya.
After the formation of the BJP government under the leadership of Adityanath in 2017, for the first time a grand festival of lights was started in Ayodhya and 51 thousand lamps were lit.
This is the seventh time that the Deepotsav festival is being organised here. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also participated in this event.
In 2022, 15.76 lakh lamps were lit at Ram ki Pauri in Ayodhya making a Guinness world record. PTI
