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Ayodhya Deepotsav Sets 2 Guinness World Records As 26 Lakh Diyas Lit, 2,128 Devotees Perform Saryu Aarti Together

In a dazzling celebration of faith and unity, the Uttar Pradesh government’s grand Deepotsav 2025 in Ayodhya has entered the Guinness World Records twice — for lighting the most oil lamps and for the largest simultaneous aarti. According to news agency ANI, Guinness World Records official Nischal Barot confirmed the feat, saying, “It was a grand Deepotsav. It will be remembered for years. 26,17,215 diyas were lit here. This was the highest in the world. We have certified it with the Guinness World Record. We are very happy that it was a success…” #WATCH | Ayodhya, UP: On UP Govt making two new Guinness World Records during #Deepotsav, Guinness World Records official Nischal Barot says, "It was a grand Deepotsav. It will be remembered for years. 26,17,215 diyas were lit here. This was the highest in the world. We have… pic.twitter.com/1HwZrKXE7y — ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2025 Adjudicator Richard Stenning said, "Today we have witnessed an amazing display. 26,17,215 oil lamps, it is officially a Guinness World Record. Every year, this is getting more and more. It is an honour to be here... It is a truly spectacular thing. It is incredible..." Record-Breaking Devotion Along Saryu River According to news agency PTI, the second record was set when 2,128 devotees performed the Saryu Aarti together — the largest simultaneous aarti ever recorded. The event, organised jointly by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, the Ayodhya District Administration, and the Saryu Aarti Samiti, turned the sacred riverfront into a shimmering sea of devotion. Last year, 1,151 people had taken part in the collective aarti, earning Ayodhya its first Guinness World Record in this category. This year, the scale was doubled, symbolising the city’s growing spiritual grandeur and collective participation. VIDEO | Ayodhya: 2,100 devotees perform Saryu Aarti ahead of Deepotsav.(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz)#Deepotsav #Diwali #Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/U1LKTzXlw4 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 18, 2025 The celebration comes ahead of the grand Deepotsav festival, with the holy city of Ayodhya—revered as the birthplace of Lord Ram—glows under millions of lamps. The collective aarti, held along the sacred banks of the Saryu River, reflected not just spiritual fervour but also inclusivity, drawing participation from over 2,000 people including women, Sanskrit students, and members of underprivileged communities. Last year, 1,151 devotees had performed the ritual together, earning Ayodhya a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. This year’s gathering, nearly double in scale, marked a new chapter in the city’s spiritual and cultural grandeur. On Sunday, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath performed Saryu aarti at the river banks in Ayodhya. #WATCH | Ayodhya: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath performs Saryu aarti at the banks of River Saryu in Ayodhya.#Deepotsav2025 (Source: ANI/UP Govt) pic.twitter.com/itQimA5OuG — ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2025 Uttar Pradesh's Preparation for Saryu Aarti The event took place at 5 p.m. on Sunday, with the riverfront divided into 11 zones—each accommodating around 200 participants. The stretch extended from Nayaghat to Laxman Ghat, ensuring that the massive turnout remained well-organised and synchronised. According to news agency IANS, officials said that under the guidance of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the administration, along with various social organisations, worked tirelessly to ensure a seamless coordination of devotion, culture, and social harmony. Ayodhya Mayor Mahant Girishpati Tripathi said that every possible effort was being made to uphold the traditions of the holy city. “Every effort is being made to ensure a grand and organised event,” he said, adding that the aarti would reflect Ayodhya’s age-old spiritual heritage, as per IANS. The Deepdan ceremony, which concluded on October 17 at 3 p.m., set the tone for the record-breaking celebration. Ahead of the main event, multiple rehearsals were conducted to align participants for the aarti, Vedic chanting, and synchronised lighting of lamps. When the lamps were lit, the sacred Saryu shimmered with the glow of more than 2,100 diyas—an ethereal sight symbolising the confluence of spirituality, unity, and divine power. The visual splendour reflected Ayodhya’s timeless message of devotion and harmony to the world.

IND vs AUS: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma flop; Australia take 1st ODI

Australia secured a seven-wicket victory over India in the first ODI. Rain reduced the match to 26 overs per side. India scored 136 for 9. Australia chased down the DLS-adjusted target of 131. Mitchell Marsh led the chase with an unbeaten 46. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's return was brief. The Indian pace attack struggled. Australia leads the series 1-0.

Samosa Payment Dispute Turns Dangerous At Jabalpur Station; Vendor Arrested After Passenger’s Near-Miss

A minor argument over a failed UPI payment nearly ended in tragedy at Jabalpur Railway Station on the evening of October 17, when a passenger narrowly escaped serious harm while trying to board a moving train. A viral video circulating on social media shows the passenger struggling to climb onto the train as a food vendor grabs hold of him, allegedly after the online payment for a samosa failed. As the train starts to move, the man frantically tries to free himself from the vendor’s grip. In a desperate attempt to break free, the traveller ends up handing over his wristwatch to the vendor, but even then, the seller reportedly delays releasing him. The video also shows the vendor insisting that the passenger take his samosas and even offering extra, before finally letting him go. Shameful incident at Jabalpur , Railway StationA passenger asked for samosas, PhonePe failed to pay, and the train started moving. Over this trivial matter, the samosa seller grabbed the passenger's collar, accused him of wasting time, and forced the money/samosa. The passenger… pic.twitter.com/Xr7ZwvEVY2 — Honest Cricket Lover (@Honest_Cric_fan) October 18, 2025 The shocking incident has sparked widespread outrage online, with users expressing disbelief at how a simple transaction spiralled into a dangerous confrontation. “Return of the barter system,” one user joked, while another commented, “He gave him extra samosas to compensate for the cost, what even!” Others called the incident “reckless” and “absurd,” warning about the risks of such disputes when trains are in motion. Confirming the incident, West Central Railway CPRO Harshit Srivastava said, “The incident occurred on the evening of 17th October at Jabalpur station. A vendor snatched the watch of a passenger after he made a purchase from him. Taking quick action, the Railway Administration identified the vendor, and he was arrested under the Railway Act. A case has been registered.” Srivastava added that the vendor, identified as Sandeep Gupta, worked under a railway-approved licence, which has now been cancelled.

China helps Pak launch satellite: Third such mission this year - what is remote sensing satellite?

China successfully orbited a Pakistani remote sensing satellite, PRSS-2, alongside two of its own satellites on Sunday. This marks the third Pakistani satellite launch facilitated by China this year, highlighting robust space cooperation. Remote sensing satellites gather crucial Earth data, aiding in monitoring environmental and geographic shifts. This mission further strengthens Pakistan's space capabilities through Chinese assistance.

Best 5 Premium EVs For A Noiseless Diwali Drive

Diwali is here and with Green Crackers, 'Green cars' are also being talked about as EV sales have increased over the years. Currently with more options than ever, here are some of the best premium EVs below 50 lakh. MG Windsor Pro The Windsor Pro is affordable, spacious and offers good range with more features over the standard Windsor. You can expect the range to be more as the official figure is 449km. The Windsor has big space which is a plus point since EVs lack rear seat space at these price points while the interiors are pretty premium too even if too many controls are there for the touchscreen. Hyundai Creta electric The Creta electric is what you expect from a Creta but being noiseless. It offers more features and performance over the standard Creta with extra performance as well while the ride is better than some other EVs. Yes, it is more expensive over the standard Creta but the electric is a sorted family electric car. Vinfast VF7 The massive VF7 offers huge rear seat space and it is more than rivals in terms of size while it is also the most attainable dual motor option. The styling is different and the design stands out. You also get various benefits while there may be less dealerships right now and it may be a new brand but the package is compelling enough along with its VF6 sibling. Mahindra XEV 9e Unlike its aggressive younger sibling, the XEV 9e is selling more and is more practical with better ride quality. The XEV 9e has a lot of technology for the price and is big in size as well while performance is good along with being an appealing family car. The interiors and the tech that the car comes with is not seen on luxury cars even and that makes it a good buy. Tata Harrier EV The Harrier EV is easily the most desirable car from Tata Motors with a dual motor layout pumping in much more power than others along with its huge feature list. Above all, the Harrier EV is fast but usable with excellent ground clearance and being very good off-road. Sure, it looks like the standard Harrier but has immense road presence too. 

New dragon-like millipede discovered in Thailand’s Pha Daeng cave; revealing mysterious hidden ecosystems

Scientists exploring northern Thailand's Pha Daeng Cave have discovered a new millipede species, Desmoxytes chaofa, or the Princess Dragon Millipede. This tiny, dragon-like creature, distinguished by its spiky body and delicate legs, was found in the cave's unique karst ecosystem. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting hidden cave environments and their undiscovered biodiversity.

IPL 2026 Mini Auction Details: Date, Venue, Full List Of Teams

The next season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is still quite far out, but many fans are eagerly awaiting the IPL 2026 mini auction. This is when all participating franchsies release some players from the existing squads, and look to fill those spots with new names (or the same) in the player auctions.  Teams like the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had disappointing runs in the previous season, and hence, are expected to make major overhauls to their lineup.  So, let's take a look at what we know about the IPL 2026 mini auction so far. IPL 2026 Mini Auction Date The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not revealed any official date for the IPL 2026 mini auction just yet. However, a report by Cricbuzz suggest that it might take place mid-December this year, particularly between December 13 and 15, 2025. With not a time left in that period, fans won't have to wait for too long to find out if that will be the case or not. IPL 2026: Auction Venue The BCCI has not provided any information regarding the IPL 2026 mini auction venue either. The event has taken places overseas on a few occassions. For instance, the 2024 auctions were held in Dubai, UAE, and the 2025 IPL auction was conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. That can be the case again, but as of this writing, October 19, 2025, the official IPL 2026 auction venue has not been revealed. IPL 2026: Full List of Teams Here are all the 10 teams in the Indian Premier League: Delhi Captails (DC) Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Gujarat Titans (GT) Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Mumbai Indians (MI) Punjab Kings (PBKS) Rajasthan Royals (RR) Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Also Check: Virat Kohli Dismissed For A Duck In IND vs AUS 1st ODI

'Will not tolerate narcoterrorists': US to return two captured drug smugglers to home countries after Caribbean submarine strike

Two survivors from a drug-smuggling submarine destroyed in the Caribbean will be returned to Ecuador and Colombia for prosecution, following a U.S. military strike. President Trump confirmed the action, stating the vessel was carrying significant amounts of fentanyl and other narcotics. This incident marks the first time the U.S.

JLo's ex-husband accuses her of CHEATING

Jennifer Lopez's recent comments about not feeling truly loved have drawn criticism from her first ex-husband, Ojani Noa. Noa accused Lopez of playing the victim and claimed she was unfaithful during their 1997-1998 marriage, stating he was a faithful and loving partner.

As social media grills Pete Hegseth for 'Russian tie', JD Vance defends him: 'Maybe he was wearing...'

US Vice President JD Vance defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after a social media storm erupted over his tie's colors, perceived by some as resembling the Russian flag during a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Vance suggested the tie represented American colors, but many remained unconvinced, citing product listings describing it as a 'Russian plain flag tie'.

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