Uttar Pradesh state government has set up a web portal to facilitate virtual lighting of lamps or diyas on the auspicious occasion of Diwali in Ayodhya this year.
As per the reports, around 10000 volunteers are working day and night, and 24 ghats have been marked for the celebrations to accomplish the said task.
Reportedly, Ayodhya will be celebrating this occasion like never before; with the city lit by more than 5 lakh earthen lamps. However, for those who wish to participate in the festival, and cannot travel due to COVID fear, a web portal is being set up. Reports state that the portal will have a portrait of Lord Rama, beside which one can light the ‘virtual’ lamps.
To make this virtual take look more real, the devotees will get an option on the web portal to choose from earthen, copper, or brass
diyas. They can also choose between mustard oil, ghee, or sesame oil to light it with. After this, an animated design will guide devotees to Lord Rama Virajman and Hanuman Garhi temple, where one can enjoy a virtual experience of lighting the diyas. In the last step, devotees will be given an option to click a virtual selfie with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
As per an official in the know-how, the Chief Minister is overseeing these preparations personally, and will also visit the temple for an
aarti while Prime Minister Narendra Modi will likely join him in the celebrations virtually.