Ayodhya (UP): What began as a spectacular record-breaking festival of light turned into a troubling snapshot of social inequality. During this year’s Deepotsav, organizers lit over 26.17 lakh (2.6 million) diyas along the Saryu ghats — a feat certified by Guinness World Records and widely praised online. But viral clips of locals collecting leftover oil from the extinguished lamps have stirred debate about poverty and priorities in the same public square.
The spectacle and the numbers
The scale of the event was enormous: authorities and volunteers laid out millions of earthen lamps and reportedly used tens of thousands of litres of oil to keep them alight for the count and ceremony. Media reports put the amount of oil procured for the festival in the tens of thousands of litres, alongside lakhs of cotton wicks and thousands of volunteers.
The footage that shocked viewers
Short videos circulating on social platforms show people — including children — scooping or collecting residual oil and ash from rows of extinguished diyas. Several opposition leaders and commentators shared these clips, arguing the visuals underline stark economic realities even amid grand state-sponsored pageantry. Headlines and social posts questioned whether festival funds could be better spent to address local hardships.
What the clips reveal — and what they don’t
The images are powerful, but they need context. The act of collecting remains can be driven by several factors: belief that residual oil is auspicious, necessity (reusing fuel), or opportunism when crowds disperse. Journalistic accounts confirm that large volumes of oil were used for the display, and local residents told reporters they intended to filter and reuse oil for household purposes. However, there is no verified figure for how much oil was actually recovered by individuals.
Bigger questions: symbolism vs. substance
This episode raises broader questions: Does showcasing religious and cultural pride justify large public expenditure when basic needs remain unmet? Are symbolic gestures followed by meaningful welfare investments, or do they mainly produce optics? Several commentators argued the event highlighted uneven development — where spectacle coexists with scarcity — while supporters said the festival boosts local potters’ incomes and tourism. Evidence shows potter families and local artisans have benefited economically during festival seasons, complicating a single-story narrative.
What officials say
State and event organizers focused on logistics and record verification, emphasizing cultural significance and local livelihoods created by diya demand. Critics pointed to the optics of leftovers being gathered by the poor and called for follow-up measures to ensure public welfare isn’t overshadowed by spectacle.
FAQs
1. How many diyas were lit at Ayodhya Deepotsav this year?
Reports state around 26.17 lakh diyas were lit during the celebration, setting a world record and drawing massive crowds along the ghats.
2. How much oil was used for the event?
It is estimated that tens of thousands of litres of oil were used to light the diyas. Some reports mention figures around 70,000 to 73,000 litres in total.
3. Did people actually collect oil from the diyas?
Yes. Viral videos and eyewitness accounts show people collecting the remaining oil after the diyas burned out. Locals said they planned to reuse the oil for lighting or cooking after filtering it.
4. Is the recovered oil safe to reuse for cooking?
Oil collected from burnt wicks and lamps may contain carbon particles and impurities. Without proper filtering, it’s not considered safe for cooking, though some locals still reuse it for economic reasons.
5. Were potters or local workers benefitted economically?
Yes. The demand for earthen lamps during Deepotsav provides significant income for potter families and small-scale workers around Ayodhya each year.
6. Did any political leaders comment on the videos?
Yes. Opposition leaders and several social commentators shared and discussed the videos, highlighting the need for balance between grand celebrations and welfare programs.
7. Is Deepotsav funded by the state?
The festival is primarily supported by the Uttar Pradesh government along with contributions from local committees and private donors. The budget details vary each year.
8. Could the oil have been distributed instead of used in lamps?
Critics argue that part of the oil could have been distributed to poor families as aid. Supporters counter that the event supports artisans and boosts tourism, indirectly aiding the economy.
9. Has this sparked any policy response?
So far, the debate has remained public and political, with no confirmed official action. Many social groups are urging more focus on welfare initiatives post-festival.
10. How should readers interpret the footage?
The videos are a reminder of India’s socio-economic imbalance. While not all situations indicate extreme poverty, they reveal the everyday struggles of those living on the margins of celebration.
Conclusion
Ayodhya’s Deepotsav achieved a dazzling visual and a world-record milestone. Yet the sight of people collecting residual oil from extinguished diyas has cast a long shadow over that triumph. The images do more than provoke outrage — they force a public reckoning about priorities, equitable development, and how cultural displays can coexist with, or obscure, persistent hardship. For policymakers and citizens alike, the question is not whether we celebrate — but how we ensure that celebrations of light do not deepen the darkness for the most vulnerable.
Report by Toofan Express