AYODHYA: The holy city of Ayodhya, which is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, has been completely decked up for three-day grand Diwali celebrations ''Deepotsav 2018'' which begin from Tuesday.


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During the three-day Diwali festivities, UP Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath is likely to offer some good news to the majority Hindus regarding the construction of a 100-ft tall statue of Lord Ram in the Ayodhya city at a cost of Rs 330 crore. 


According to sources, the grand statue of Lord Ram will be erected on the bank of River Saryu.


From a dazzling riverfront at the 'Ram Ki Paidi' to illuminated streets and heritage buildings, Ayodhya city has been fully decorated to welcome the visiting South Korean First lady Kim Jung-sook for the grand Diwali celebrations here.


Special trained 'Divyang' students will sing the welcome song for CM Yogi Adityanath, the South Korean First Lady and other dignitaries after their arrival here. 


A statue of Lord Ram and Hanuman has also 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.


CM Adityanath has been organising ''Deepotsav'' - a carnival of lights - in Ayodhya on Diwali since becoming Chief Minister last year. 




On the occasion, lakhs of 'diyas' (earthen lamps) made by the potters will be lit up to welcome Kim, while also aiming for a Guinness Book of Record. 


The South Korean First lady will also light the lamp made out of waste materials.


The lamp is made by the fine arts department of Ram Manohar Lohiya Awadh University and has intricate designs on it which showcases Awadhi tradition and culture. 


Manoj Dixit, Vice Chancellor of the university said, "Students of our fine art department have made that lamp. They are also making rangolis on the occasion." 


The size of this lamp is around four-and-half feet and a team of 25 students created it over a period of 20-25 days.


The potters of Ayodhya had worked round-the-clock in Jaisinghpur Konhariya village.


Their task at hand was to make three lakh earthen lamps. 


These lamps will be lit at the 'Ram ki Paudi' on November 6 during the mega Diwali celebrations.



Around 50 families, who are engaged in pottery business, worked on making three lakh lamps.


According to the potters, by Sunday (November 4), the order was fulfilled and the work was submitted to the organising committee.


Artists from Maharashtra have worked on 3a 0-ft statue of Lord Ram, installed near the site of 'Deepotsav'.


Huge hoardings, bearing the message - 'South Korean First lady Kim Jung-sook - Welcome to Ayodhya ' and her picture, have been put up across the city.


Kim, who arrived in India on Sunday, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. 


She then was received by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in UP.



"The First Lady's participation in the festivities in Ayodhya will showcase our close civilisational links as well as the ongoing deepening engagement between our two countries," the MEA had said in a statement.


In July, the two countries had signed an agreement for expansion of the Suriratna memorial project.


Kim and CM Adityanath will jointly lay the foundation stone for a riverbank memorial to first-century Korean queen Heo Hwang-ok, who legend says was a princess of Ayodhya. 


According to legend, an Ayodhya princess had visited Korea in AD 42 and was given the name Heo Hwang-ok after her marriage with King Kim Suro, founder of the Korean kingdom of Karack.