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Lucknow, India: The north Indian city of Ayodhya kept its Guinness World Record for a second year on by lighting 606,569 oil lamps and keeping them burning for at least 45 minutes as part of the celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.
Image Credit: AP
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Thousands of volunteers lit the lamps, called diyas, along the Saryu river's banks, through lanes and at houses as dusk fell Friday in Ayodhya, where Hindus believe the god Ram was born and where he returned after 14 years in exile.
Image Credit: AP
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Uttar Pradesh state Governor Anandiben Patel, right, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, second right, receive artists dressed as Hindu god Ram, goddess Sita and Lakshman as they alight from a helicopter on the banks of river Saryu on the eve of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Ayodhya, India.
Image Credit: AP
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The city lit 409,000 oil lamps last year.
Image Credit: AP
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Uttar Pradesh state government spokesman Shishir Kumar said the lamps were a stunning spectacle for thousands of visitors who thronged the river banks while ignoring coronavirus social distancing norms.
Image Credit: AP
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Representatives from Guinness World Records handed over a certificate to Yogi Adityanath, the state's top elected official, after monitoring the ceremony with drone-mounted cameras, Kumar said.
Image Credit: AP
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People light lamps on the banks of river Saryu in Ayodhya, India.
Image Credit: AP
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Devotees light earthen lamps on the bank of Saryu River during Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya.
Image Credit: PTI
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Devotees light earthen lamps on the bank of Saryu River during Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya.
Image Credit: PTI
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Devotees light earthen lamps on the bank of Saryu River during Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya.
Image Credit: PTI
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Devotees light earthen lamps on the bank of Saryu River during Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya.
Image Credit: PTI
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Earthen lamps lit on the bank of River Saryu as part of 'Deepotsava' celebrations on the occasion of Diwali, in Ayodhya.
Image Credit: ANI