Indians began celebrating the annual Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, by symbolically lighting a record 2.61 million clay oil lamps on Sunday in a northern Indian city.

Thousands of volunteers lit the oil lamps, called diyas, along the Saryu river’s banks in Ayodhya, where Hindus believe the revered god Rama was born and where he returned after 14 years in exile.

Diwali is the most important festival of the year in India, particularly for the Hindu majority.

It is celebrated by socializing and exchanging gifts with loved ones.

Many light candles and oil lamps made from clay, and fireworks are set off as part of the celebrations.

A Guinness World Records team presented certificates to Uttar Pradesh state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath acknowledging the unprecedented number of oil lamps, exceeding last year’s 2.51 million.

Drone cameras closely monitored the event.

Diwali will be celebrated across the country on Monday.