Kim Jung-Sook, third left, wife of South Korean President Moon Jae-in, poses with artists dressed as Lakshman, Ram and Sita during Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya. UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister VK Singh also attended the event. (Photo/PTI)
"Ayodhya is a symbol of our 'aan, baan aur shaan(honour, pride and prestige). Nobody can do injustice to Ayodhya," Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday as he made several big announcements during mega Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion of 'Deepotsav' celebrations on the eve of Diwali in Ayodhya, Yogi Adityanath said Faizabad district will now be known as Ayodhya.
Ayodhya Deepotsav celebrations: Highlights
Stressing that the holy city is identified by Lord Ram, the UP CM announced setting up of a medical college in the name of King Dashrath, father of Lord Ram, in the district. Ayodhya will also get an airport named after 'Purshottam Ram'.
As Adityanath spoke, a section of the crowd was also heard chanting "Mandir ka nirman karao" (build the (Ram) temple).
"Deepotsav is about starting a new tradition," Adityanath said at the event at Katha Park which was also attended by South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-sook.
Several projects, including redevelopment and beautification of 'Ram Ki Paidi' and stoppage of sewage disposal in Saryu river, were launched at the event.
Grand Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya
Earlier, chief guest Kim Jung-sook began her Ayodhya tour by offering tribute at the Queen Heo Memorial. Kim visited the site, along with Yogi Adityanath, and attended a ground-breaking ceremony for upgrade and beautification of the memorial dedicated to the legendary princess of Ayodhya who went to Korea.
Later she went to the banks of the Sarayu river to welcome artists donning the avatar of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, who arrived at Ram Katha Park in a ceremonial chopper as part of 'Ram Durbar'.
Ayodhya also got its name into Guinness Book of Record as 3,01,152 earthen lamps were lit on the bank of Sarayu river.
WATCH: Ayodhya enters Guinness Book of Record with 3,01,152 earthen lamps lit simultaneously
Kim garlanded 'Sita' as they descended from the helicopter and Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Adityanath welcomed Lord Ram and Laxman by garlanding them. Union Minister V K Singh also attended the grand event in Ayodhya.
WATCH: Yogi Adityanath renames Faizabad as Ayodhya
(With inputs from agencies)
