Odisha: Rourkela to Light Up ‘World’s Largest Diya’ to Mark Ram Temple Consecration

Rourkela: The ‘Smile Forever Foundation,’ a voluntary organization in Rourkela, Odisha, is set to illuminate a colossal Diya (earthen lamp) to commemorate the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, on January 22.

Crafted by a team of nine artisans led by Shambhu Prajapati from Kolkata, the massive earthen lamp’s creation commenced on December 26 and is scheduled for completion by January 15. With a base diameter of 20 feet and a towering height of 5 feet, this earthen lamp aims to claim the title of the world’s largest, capable of holding approximately 7,000 litres of ghee. A 15-meter-long cotton wick sourced from Cuttack will accompany the lamp.

The Smile Forever Foundation plans to showcase the monumental lamp at various educational institutions and localities in Rourkela, spreading awareness about the upcoming consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. The grand lighting of the lamp is scheduled for 5:30 pm on January 22 at Hanuman Vatika in Rourkela.

Santosh Biswal, the founder of Smile Forever Foundation, expressed his aspiration to secure a place in the Guinness World Records through this remarkable initiative.