Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh marked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday with a massive statewide illumination drive, lighting 3.55 crore diyas across 845 iconic places as part of the launch of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. Ujjain emerged as the centrepiece of the celebrations, where 33.27 lakh diyas were lit together across the Shipra riverfront and Mahakal Lok, creating a world record, according to the state government.
The event brought together Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal and state in-charge Mahendra Singh, along with thousands of volunteers, devotees and residents.
Ujjain Illuminates Shipra Ghats With 33.27 Lakh Diyas
The main programme took place along the Shipra riverfront in Ujjain. At around 7 pm, a siren signalled the simultaneous lighting of diyas at several locations.
More than 25,000 volunteers joined devotees and local residents in lighting the lamps. The illumination covered prominent locations including Ram Ghat, Datt Akhara, Kedar eshwar Ghat, Sunhari Ghat and Bhukhi Mata Ghat, besides the Mahakal Lok complex.
The large-scale display transformed the Shipra riverfront into a sea of light. The state government said the simultaneous lighting of 33.27 lakh diyas in Ujjain established a world record.
The event was also linked to the launch of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan across Madhya Pradesh, with the lighting programme serving as a symbolic expression of public participation.
CM Mohan Yadav, BJP Leaders Join Shipra Aarti
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, state president Hemant Khandelwal and state in-charge Mahendra Singh participated in the Shipra Aarti before the mass diya lighting.
The leaders offered prayers to Maa Shipra and sought prosperity and well-being for the people of Madhya Pradesh.
The programme coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. The organisers described the illumination as a tribute to his public service and contribution to nation-building.
With the participation of residents, volunteers and devotees, the Ujjain programme combined a religious setting with a large-scale public event.
3.55 Crore Diyas Lit Across Madhya Pradesh
The celebrations extended well beyond Ujjain. According to the state government, 3.55 crore diyas were lit simultaneously across Madhya Pradesh, covering all districts and 845 identified iconic places.
The initiative brought together a large number of locations across different regions of the state, turning important public, cultural and heritage sites into illuminated venues.
Among the districts participating in the programme were Gwalior, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashoknagar, Datia, Bhind, Morena, Sheopur, Indore, Barwani, Dhar, Jhabua, Alirajpur, Khargone, Khandwa, Burhanpur and Ujjain.
Other participating districts included Neemuch, Dewas, Shajapur, Agar, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Bhopal, Sehore, Raisen, Vidisha, Rajgarh, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Sagar, Damoh, Panna, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Niwari.
The programme also covered Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, Satna, Maihar, Shahdol, Anuppur, Umaria, Dindori, Jabalpur, Katni, Balaghat, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Narsinghpur, Seoni and Mandla.
845 Iconic Places Become Part of Statewide Celebration
The statewide initiative focused on prominent and iconic locations in different districts. The number of identified sites varied across districts, with several locations hosting multiple illumination points.
Betul accounted for 144 iconic places, while Sheopur had 80. Other districts also recorded substantial participation, including Morena with 18 locations, Indore with 32, Barwani with 27, Dhar with 32, Khandwa with 27 and Bhopal with 21.
The initiative therefore extended the celebration from major urban centres to a wide range of districts and local landmarks.
At Ujjain, the scale was significantly larger, with the Shipra ghats and Mahakal Lok forming the focal point of the statewide programme.
Seva Sankalp Abhiyan Begins Across Madhya Pradesh
The mass lighting programme marked the ceremonial launch of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan across Madhya Pradesh. The participation of government representatives, BJP leaders, volunteers and citizens gave the campaign a statewide public dimension.
The Ujjain event was particularly significant because of its scale. The simultaneous lighting of 33.27 lakh diyas brought together religious, cultural and public participation at one of Madhya Pradesh’s most prominent pilgrimage destinations.
The state’s decision to involve 845 iconic locations also broadened the initiative beyond a single city. From heritage and religious locations to important public landmarks, the illumination campaign created a common statewide programme.
For Ujjain, the event added another large-scale public celebration to its calendar, while for Madhya Pradesh, the statewide participation showcased the use of cultural and public spaces for mass community events.
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