- Yogi govt is generating employment to the potters through Deepotsav
- Potters sweat it to spread Ram Jyoti in every house
- Devotees and saints themselves arriving to purchase lamps
- Tourism department will decorate Ayodhya with 10 lakh lamps on the day of the consecration ceremony
By Our Correspondent
Ayodhya: On January 22, the sacred soil of this land will once again light up the ‘Ram Jyoti,’ not only in Ayodhya but also across the nation and the world. Devotees visiting the shrines of Shri Ram Lalla and Hanuman Garhi are buying lamps from local potters here.
After the consecration ceremony, they will celebrate Diwali by lighting the ‘Ram Jyoti’ at their homes in the evening. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s visionary idea has opened up a significant market for local potters here, distancing people from using Chinese products.
Now, with the economic and self-reliant focus on empowering potters, the state government is providing them the opportunity to celebrate Diwali twice a year. In line with CM Yogi’s vision, the Tourism Department is also gearing up to decorate Ayodhya with 10 lakh lamps made by local potters on the big day.
There are only five days left until January 22. In Jaisingpur, potters are now shaping their sweat into the form of lamps. They are eager for the ‘Ram Jyoti’ to illuminate every home with the lamps they create. Despite adverse weather conditions, they are working day and night to produce more lamps.
Potter Ashok Prajapati explains that they are sourcing clay from villages like Darshan Nagar, Kishundaspur, Baisin, and Kusamaha because the weather is challenging, and time is limited.
Currently, they are making smaller lamps. People from Ayodhya are coming directly here to buy lamps to light up their homes. Currently, they have obtained four to five tractor loads of clay and are using it to make lamps. Many others are also actively involved in the work.
Since coming into power in 2017, Yogi Adityanath has consistently organized the Deepotsav festival. Year after year, this event has been becoming more divine. Starting with 1.71 lakh lamps in 2017, the Deepotsav has grown to an astounding 22.23 lakh lamps in just seven years, setting records and contributing to prosperity of the state and the nation.
Potter Rajesh Prajapati expresses gratitude to the Yogi government, not only have people found more significant work opportunities, but there is also a stable livelihood. Initially, the work was only substantial during the Deepotsav, but now, with the celebration of the Ram Mandir Utsav every year, people believe that such opportunities will be available annually.
Notably, January 22 holds significant inspiration for followers of Sanatan Dharma, as on this day, Lord Rama will be consecrated in his divine and grand temple. Therefore, every Indian on this day will illuminate ‘Ram Jyoti’ in their homes. Devotees visiting Ayodhya are purchasing lamps made from the local clay. To ensure the lamps reach without any damage, they are being carefully packed.
Ved Prakash from Bijnor and Dheeraj Chaudhary from Nandgaon said that Diwali is celebrated in honour of Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya. Now that Lord Ram is coming to his divine temple, this Diwali will be the grandest. To celebrate this occasion, they are bringing 21 lamps from Ayodhya to light up their homes and will purchase additional lamps there to decorate their entire homes.
The state government is employing potters, and they are getting fair prices for their products. Ramesh Prajapati and Rakesh Prajapati from Ashiqbagh, said that they are rapidly making clay lamps. People are also coming here to buy them. 100 lamps are being sold for 100 rupees. Although the weather is challenging, more and more family members are putting in effort to prepare them.
Ram Kishor from Vidya Kund expresses enthusiasm, saying that along with temple construction, “CM Yogi Adityanath also focuses on our well-being. Thanks to the grace of Goddess Lakshmi, our Diwali has completely changed for the better over the past seven years. After Kartik, now every year, Diwali will also be celebrated in this month.”
The artisans making lamps are being visited by tourists, devotees, and local saints who are coming from outside to purchase lamps. Near Ram’s Paidi’s Temple, Pandit Kailash visited Vidya Kund to buy lamps, currently acquiring 500. Joyful Pandit mentioned that Ram ji is expected to arrive. Buying lamps is a gesture to welcome Lord Ram, and for this reason, he has come to purchase lamps. He extended blessings and good wishes to the government for this occasion.
Regional Tourism Officer R.P. Yadav stated that on January 22, after the consecration ceremony, approximately 10 lakh lamps will adorn Ayodhya. Lamps will be lit in Ram’s Paidi, Ayodhya’s temples, Maths, main intersections, and public places. Following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s orders, even in the Deepotsav, lamps are purchased from local potters to be illuminated, and this time also, lamps are being bought from local potters.
