New Delhi: This Diwali, the Uttar Pradesh government will light up as many as 1.25 lakh cow-dung ‘diyas’ in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram.
It is to celebrate the ‘grand’ Deepotsav in Ayodhya in an environment-friendly manner while promoting the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign.
Explaining the idea behind the move, Uttar Pradesh Minister of Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dharampal Singh said the ‘Gau Mata’ (cow) embodies the spiritual strength of deities and its dung is considered holy by Hindus.
He said the Yogi Adityanath government will pray for the prosperity and the well-being of all the citizens of the state through ‘diyas’ made out of cow dung.
The state government has also urged every household in UP to light at least 9 cow-dung diyas this Diwali “to protect the environment”, promote the conservation of indigenous cattle in the country as well as encourage the use of cow dung-based products during the forthcoming festival.
At the same time, about 4.50 lakh lamps will be lit up in 21 major temples to make the Deepotsav grand.
About 51,000 diyas will be lit at Ram Janmabhoomi, 21,000 at the Hanuman Garhi.
The lamps will be lit in various temples, including the Kanak Bhawan, Guptar Ghat, Dashrath Samadhi, Ramjanki Mandir, Sahabganj, Devkali Temple, Bharatkund (Nandigram), among others.
