LUCKNOW, India (AP) — Millions of Indians began celebrating the annual Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, by symbolically lighting a record 2.51 million earthen oil lamps at dusk on Wednesday on the banks of the Saryu River in a northern Indian city the birthplace of the deity, Lord Ram.

Diwali is the most important festival of the year in India – especially for the Hindu majority. It is characterized by social gatherings and the exchange of gifts with loved ones. Many bright oil lamps, candles and fireworks are lit. In the evening, a special prayer is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

A Guinness Book of Records team presented Uttar Pradesh state chief minister Yogi Adityanath with a certificate recognizing the unprecedented number of oil lamps, surpassing the 2.2 million last year. Drone cameras closely monitored what was happening.

The celebrations took place in the northern city of Ayodhya, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened a controversial Hindu temple built on the ruins of a historic mosque nine months ago, following a Supreme Court decision seen as a political victory for the populist was viewed as a leader. With the construction of the temple dedicated to Lord Ram, a long-standing wish of millions of Hindus was fulfilled

On Wednesday, thousands of volunteers lit lamps called “diyas” along river banks, alleys, house facades and rooftops.

“More than 30,000 volunteers, mostly students, worked meticulously to maintain the systematic pattern of burning lamps for the prescribed time,” said Dr. Pratibha Goyal, Vice Chancellor of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, which coordinated the massive effort.

The earthen lamps lit along the 55 banks of the Saryu River created a captivating spectacle over a length of 1.5 kilometers (1 mile). As the lamps burned for more than five minutes, government spokesman Shishir Singh said Ayodhya had achieved its seventh consecutive world record for the largest exhibition.

Singh said around 91,000 liters (about 24,000 gallons) of mustard oil was used to light the lamps.

The event transformed Ayodhya into a city of lights amid devotional bhajan singing. A laser show featuring scenes from the epic Ramayana completed the immersive experience and eco-friendly fireworks lit up the skyline. Traditional decorations, including ornate arches and grand gates along the main streets, were in abundance, reflecting the festive atmosphere, while folk cultural performances attracted pilgrims to the streets.

The festival also included a large prayer ceremony conducted by 1,100 priests along the river banks.

Security measures have been tightened across the city. Paramilitary commandos, bomb detectors, dog squads, facial recognition technology and real-time surveillance drones are deployed across the city, police officer Rajkaran Nayyar said.

Major Hindu festivals such as Dussehra and Diwali are associated with mythological stories about Lord Ram, extolling the virtues of truth, sacrifice and ethical governance.

The main Diwali celebrations take place across the country on Thursday.