Name changing ceremony continues Yogi changes Faizabad to Ayodhya

AYODHYA: NP NEWS 24 ONLINE – The name-changing spree of the Uttar Pradesh(UP) government continued unabated on Tuesday with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announcing that Faizabad district will now be known as Ayodhya.

The mega ‘Deepotsav’ celebrations were carried out in Ayodhya today. Over 3 lakh earthen lamps are lit on both the banks of Saryu river with an aim to create a Guinness World Record. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reached Ayodhya along with South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-sook who was the chief guest on the occasion.

An artistic statue of Lord Ram along with Lord Hanuman has been installed at the historic ghats of the Saryu river, while an iconic ceremonial gateway has been erected near the site of the main function. The main streets of Ayodhya wear a scintillating look with illuminated lamps and special decorations. Buildings have been lit up for the occasion, including the facade of the Raj Sadan and the residence of the royal family of Ayodhya.

“Ayodhyahamari aan baan shaan ka prateek hai, Ayodhyaki pehchan Bhagwan Ram se hai. (Ayodhya is our symbol of our pride and prestige). It owes its identity to Lord Ram,” said Yogi Adityanath.

“I want to make sure that Lord Ram’s legacy lives forever,” explained the priest-politician, who took charge as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh after the BJP’s massive victory in state polls last year.

Yogi Adityanath, responding to criticism of his renaming spree, had said that a name matters. “Why are those protesting the change not named Raavan or Duryodhan? Why didn’t their parents name them ‘Raavan’ and ‘Duryodhan’ in that case? In this country, the name holds a lot of significance,” he said.