AYODHYA, Oct. 20 -- Two new world records were set at the ninth edition of the Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya on Sunday as 26.17 lakh diyas were lit at 56 ghats on banks of the Saryu, including the majestic Ram Ki Paidi, and 2,128 people performed 'aarti' together for the grand festivities.

Sunday's achievement surpassed the 2024 record of 25,12,585 diyas set at the eighth Deepotsav where 1151 people had performed the aarti.

Representatives from the Guinness World Records made the announcement after verifying the count of the diyas using drones, the state government said in a statement.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath lit the first lamp at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex on Sunday around 5.30pm, unlike the previous years when he illumina...