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

Diwali is the most important festival of the year in Indiaespecially for the Hindu majority. It is celebrated by socializing and exchanging gifts with loved ones. Many light candles and oil lamps made of clay. Fireworks are being let off. In the evening, a special prayer is offered to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

A Guinness World Records team presented a certificate to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, recognizing the unprecedented number of oil lamps, which exceeded last year’s 2.2 million. Drone cameras kept a close eye on the event.

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

On Wednesday, thousands of volunteers lit lamps called ‘diyas’ along river banks, alleys, facades and roofs of houses.

“More than 30,000 volunteers, mostly students, worked painstakingly 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 lamps were lit along the 55 steps along the river river Saryu created a captivating spectacle along 1.5 kilometers (one mile). As the lights remained lit for more than five minutes, government spokesman Shishir Singh said Ayodhya had set the seventh consecutive world record for the largest display.

Singh said around 91,000 liters of mustard oil was used to light the lamps.

The event transformed Ayodhya to a city of light amidst devotional bhajan singing. A laser show depicting scenes from the epic Ramayana added to the experience, and an eco-friendly fireworks show lit up the skyline. Traditional decorations, including elaborate arches and grand gateways along major highways, captured the festive atmosphere as folk cultural performances drew pilgrims to the streets.

The festival also included a prayer ceremony performed by 1,100 priests along the riverbanks.

Security throughout the city was tightened. Paramilitary commandos, bomb detectors, dog squads, facial recognition technology and real-time monitoring drones were deployed, police officer Rajkaran Nayyar said.

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

The main celebrations of Diwali are held across the country on Thursday.