This year, Ayodhya's Diwali will witness a historic spectacle. The City of Lord Ram will glow with the extraordinary light of 2.6 million lamps. Among them, 500,000 special lamps made from cow dung, crafted in Jaipur, will stand out. These lamps will illuminate Ram's city with a unique blend of spiritual and environmental energy.
Not mere clay lamps, these are crafted from cow dung and rare medicinal herbs, including jatamansi, ashwagandha, reetha, ghee, black turmeric, moringa powder, neem, tulsi, and other natural elements. As these lamps burn, they don't just light up; they also spread a divine fragrance akin to sacred offerings.
About 50 women from five voluntary service organizations in Jaipur are tirelessly crafting these lamps. At the Vedic Plant Research Center at Pinjrapole Gaushala, thousands of lamps are produced daily. Women from the Mata Rani Self-Help Group alone create around 5,000 lamps each day, with each lamp taking just minutes to make. This initiative supports their livelihood and empowers them economically, while connecting rural artisans and cow shelters.
The most remarkable feature of these lamps is their lightweight nature and durability—they don't break when they fall. These reusable lamps can be lit multiple times, and once used, they serve as natural fertilizers when placed near plants or soil. Thus, beyond lighting and fragrance, they nurture the environment, embodying the “Panchgavya” principle present in Indian traditions, highlighting the possibility of indigenous and environmentally friendly innovations even today.
When 500,000 cow dung lamps illuminate Ayodhya on October 3, 2025, the scene will not only be divine and grand but will also signify how Indian culture wonderfully fuses science, nature, and spirituality. Through the labor of women, the use of indigenous materials, and its devotion to the environment, this year's 'Ayodhya Diwali' promises to gain a new identity and significance. This initiative exemplifies how traditional wisdom and modern thinking can converge to make festivals more meaningful and inspiring.
