LUCKNOW: This year's Uttar Pradesh tableau for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26 will focus on the now-famous Deepotsav of Ayodhya.

Ayodhya will serve as the state's theme at the procession for the second time in three years.

"Our Ayodhya tableau of 2021, which was focused on the future Ram temple, and tableau of 2022, which featured the Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Varanasi, had aroused unusual response from many among the viewers when they rose up and bowed to the tableau," a state government spokesman said. He claimed that for the last two years, the Uttar Pradesh tableaus with the themes of Ayodhya in 2021 and Kashi Corridor in 2022 had consistently won first place.

Uttar Pradesh is the first state to ever win from first to third prize at the Delhi Republic Day parade. The explanation of the topic and design of the tableau reads, "The vast and unique Deepotsav of Ayodhya is a sincere and pious endeavour to deliver the divine message of a happy society of Ram Rajya to the world and the mankind at large."

The tableau will also have a giant replica of a lamp, symbolising the end of ignorance and the dissemination of wisdom, the spokesman said. Sage Vashishtha, the family guru of Lord Ram, will have a large idol placed on the front area of the tableau, the spokesman added.

Sage Vashishtha is portrayed as the representative of Indian tradition and culture. The city of Ayodhya is depicted in the centre of the tableau all decorated to greet Lord Ram as he arrives on the occasion of Deepotsav. Bharat, the younger brother of Lord Ram, is seated with other family members.

The rear half of the tableau depicts Lord Ram riding the Pushpak Viman to Ayodhya with Sita, brother Laxman, and his army. The joyful and celebratory mood that pervaded Ayodhya upon Ram, Laxman, and Sita's homecoming from their 14-year exile would also be shown.

The Deepotsav, which has been held at Ram ki Paidi, Saryu Ghat, every year for the past six years, will be portrayed on both sides of the tableau.

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