The city in northern India, which for several years held the world record for the number of lamps lit during Diwali celebrations, retained its title this weekend as the country celebrates its annual festival of lights, DPA reported, citing Agerpres.

More than 2.2 million oil lamps were lit on the banks of the Saru River in the northern city of Ayodhya on Saturday night, surpassing last year’s record of 1.5 million. Ayodhya held this record for several years in a row.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said a representative of the Guinness Book of World Records confirmed that Ayodhya had broken its own record for the number of lamps lit simultaneously in one place. He posted a photo on the X platform, formerly Twitter, of himself holding the organization’s certificate.

Diwali is one of the most important holidays in Hinduism. Many people celebrate Diwali by lighting oil lamps and fireworks in honor of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

The festival also celebrates the victory of good over evil or light over darkness. According to Hindu beliefs, the city of Ayodhya, where a sea of ​​lights is lit on Saturday evening, is the birthplace of the god Rama.