Ayodhya, Nov 6: Ayodhya is immersed in festive excitement as the preparations for its 10th Deepotsav have reached the final stage, with more than 30 lakhs earthen lamps being arranged across the Ghats along Saryu river. The city has been decorated with colourful decorations and lighting while rehearsals for the grand tableaux featuring episodes from the Ramayana have also began.

Artists portraying Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman and Lakshman expressed pride in being part of the celebrations.Mohammad Islam portraying Lord hanuman from Barabanki, who has portrayed different characters since Deepotsav began, said he had been associated with Ram-Leela for 17-18 years. He emphasized that Lord Ram belonged to everyone irrespective of the community.

Kanak Soni, from Lucknow portraying Goddess Sita, also expressed happiness over being part of the celebrations.

Meanwhile around 35,000 volunteers working tirelessly to arrange around 30 to 35 lakh diyas. At Ram Ki Paidi, volunteers are carefully placing diyas in designated patterns, filling them with oil and preparing them for the grand lighting ceremony.

Adarsh Tiwari, supervising arrangements at Ghat no.28, said a newly constructed stage and a drone show would be among this year’s special attraction. The number of diyas increase every year.

The celebrations attracts visitors from distant parts of the country. Madhurya Varah from Assam's Golaghat district, said visiting Ayodhya for Deepotsav had been a long-cherished dream. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the grand arrangements. Another visitor from Assam, Rupjyoti Dutta, who arrived with his family, said the arrangements had exceeded his expectations.

Meanwhile, preparations for the grand tableaux depicting different episodes from the Ramayana have reached their final stage, with rehearsals commencing on Friday. Artists and organisers are working to ensure that the presentations add to the spiritual and cultural grandeur of the event.

The main Deepotsav celebrations will be held on November 7 in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The government aims to create another world record by lighting of more than 30 lakh earthen lamps.