Yogi's Deepotsav: Ayodhya gave Diwali to world, says UP Chief Minister

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today gave a ceremonial welcome to Ram, Sita and Lakshman who arrived in a chopper to Ayodhya to kickstart the 'Deepotsav'.

The actors who played the gods were garlanded by CM Adityanath.

Chief Minister Adityanath and Governor Ram Naik also distributed allotment letters to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Ayodhya.

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• Yogi Adityanath performs aarti on the banks of Saryu river in Ayodhya

#WATCH UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performs 'Aarti' on the banks of Saryu river in Ayodhya #Diwali pic.twitter.com/j4S2fAkelp- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 18, 2017

• UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Governor Ram Naik and Deputy CM KP Maurya light lamps on the banks of Saryu river in Ayodhya. pic.twitter.com/Nw18vqgw20- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 18, 2017

• Over thousand students light lamps on the banks of the Sarayu river.

• There are people in this country who oppose every good work. They will raise questions if I visit Ayodhya, and if I don't come, they will say I am afraid to do so: CM Yogi Adityanath

• Earthen lamps are being lit at the banks of Saryu river in Ayodhya.

Uttar Pradesh: Banks of river Saryu lit up with lights & earthen lamps as part of #Diwali celebrations. pic.twitter.com/IDMc1EFRMb- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 18, 2017

• Ayodhya maanavta ki dharti hai, maanavta ka path duniya ko Ayodhya ne padhya hai Ram rajya ke maadhyam se: UP CM at #Diwali celebrations pic.twitter.com/4d83lMKHql- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 18, 2017

• Ayodhya: Artists dressed as Ram,Sita &Laxman arrived by helicopter for UP Govt's #Diwali celebrations,as another helicopter showered flowers pic.twitter.com/t1vkDf8q1e

  - ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 18, 2017

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was in Ayodhya as part of the state governments grand Diwali festivities. Both CM Adityanath and Governor Ram Naik are expected to perform aarti of Sarayu river which will be followed by laser show.

The festivities will also see a Ramlila performed by artists from Indonesia and Thailand. Earlier, Adityanath had said that the a grand Diwali celebration will be held in Ayodhya which will also the participation of 'sadhu-saints'.

Yogi government had allocated Rs 1,240 core for Ramayan, Buddhist and Krishna circuits in the holy cities in its state budget presented in March this year.

After a hiatus of 17 months, Ramilla was started in Ayodhya by the efforts of the Yogi government. The practice of holding Ramlila in Ayodhya was started by the then Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav in May 2004 but was stopped during Akhilesh Yadav's regime after the culture department refused to grant aid for the same.