Thousands of students in India's Uttar Pradesh state are preparing to participate in a world record attempt with the help of 'Diyas' (earthen oil lamps) on the eve of Diwali, the festival of lights.
As many as around 25,000 students from 19 colleges have volunteered for the mega event to be organised by Ram Manohar Lohia Awadh University in cooperation with Ayodhya's district authorities.
The university's Vice-Chancellor, Pratibha Goyal, told reporters that all the Diyas would be placed by Thursday. She also stated that a team from Guinness World Records would inspect, and the Diyas would be eventually lit on 11 November (Saturday).
Last year, about 1.5 million 'Diyas' were lit up during the 'Deepotsav' (festival of earthen oil lamps) event held in Ayodhya, and it was recorded in the Guinness World Records.
This year, an annual three-day special event is to be convened in Ayodhya around Diwali from 10-13 November.
On the Diwali-day (Sunday), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the Deepostav event and participate in evening Diwali Aarti (special prayers). He will be joined by various other ministers of Uttar Pradesh, and hundreds of thousands of devotees.
Local officials have announced that a light and sound show will be launched this year at "Ram Ki Pauri", a historic river bank. It will continue to run for the next five years. A giant digital screen, reportedly "the country's biggest", will also showcase the history of Ayodhya and Uttar Pradesh.
Diwali, also called as 'Deepawali' (a festival of earthen lamps) in some places, is the famous' festival of lights' celebrated to commemorate the legendary homecoming of Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years in exile, as inscribed in the Hindu epic Ramayana.
In Hindu mythology, it is believed that King Rama, after his victory over demon king Ravana, was joyfully greeted by the residents of Ayodhya. They expressed their delight by illuminating their homes and adorning the streets with radiant lamps to welcome him.