India Sets Guinness World Record by Lighting Over 2.6 Million Oil Lamps for Diwali Celebration | WPN World People News

On October 20, local time, the holy city of Ayodhya, India, celebrated the annual Diwali festival by lighting a record-breaking 2,617,215 oil lamps along the banks of the Sarayu River, setting a new Guinness World Record. The spectacular sea of lights was jointly organized by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department and the Ayodhya Municipal Government. The event also featured cultural performances, laser light shows, eco-friendly fireworks, and drone displays, adding vibrant colors to the festive atmosphere.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation on Diwali, expressing hope that the festival’s light would illuminate people’s lives with harmony, happiness, and prosperity, and bring positive energy to everyone. He urged citizens to purchase locally made products during the festival to support domestic industries and encouraged them to share their experiences on social media to promote Indian goods—showcasing the creativity and diligence of India’s 1.4 billion people.

Diwali, observed on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Hindu lunar calendar, originates from the epic Ramayana and symbolizes light triumphing over darkness, good conquering evil, and knowledge defeating ignorance. Traditionally, families decorate their homes with earthen oil lamps (diyas) at their doorsteps, though in recent years, many communities have switched to electric lights for safety and environmental reasons. Fireworks and firecrackers have also been reduced due to air pollution concerns. During the Diwali season, people often receive festival bonuses similar to Taiwan’s year-end bonuses, boosting consumer spending as merchants launch holiday promotions to capitalize on the festive shopping surge.