South Korea’s First Lady Kim Jung-Sook will celebrate this Diwali in Ayodhya. She will be the chief guest at the Deepotsav in the city, which has a deep connection with South Korea.
The legendary Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya, who traveled to Korea in 48 CE and married Korean King Suro and the royalty in South Korea traces its ancestry back to the city.
“The First Lady of the Republic of Korea will lead a high-level delegation to India from November 4-7, 2018. She will be the Chief Guest at the Deepotsav event being organised by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh and the ground-breaking ceremony of the Queen Suriratna (Heo Hwang-ok) Memorial in Ayodhya on 6 November 2018” a statement from the ministry of external affairs said.
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“The First Lady’s participation in the festivities in Ayodhya will showcase our close civilisational links as well as the ongoing deepening engagement between our two countries,” the statement said.
FL Kim Jung-sook will visit #India from Nov. 4-7. The FL and her delegation will attend the ground-breaking ceremony of the Queen Suriratna(Heo Hwang-ok) Memorial in #Ayodhya,#UttarPradesh and join #Diwali celebrations. @MEAIndia @narendramodi @IndiainROK @ambsripriya https://t.co/nu8PxOVwnO
— The Office of President Moon Jae-in (@TheBlueHouseENG) October 31, 2018
The President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in, had visited India in July 2018. His visit had imparted new strength to the partnership between the two countries. An MoU regarding the Queen Suriratna Memorial Project was signed during the visit, to facilitate upgrade and expansion of the existing monument commemorating Princess Suriratna (Queen Hur Hwang-ok).
Preparations are underway in Ayodhya for the Deepotsav festival. Senior government officials, ministers, MLAs and MPs are monitoring the arrangements for the grand festival in Ayodhya.
A three member delegation of the Republic of Korea comprising of Mr. Heo Myoung Goo, Mr. Ho Kang & Mr. Kim Hong Baek called on #DGPUP to discuss security arrangements of the South Korean First Lady’s participation in Deepotsav Festivities at Ayodhya on 6th of Nov. 2018. #UPPolice pic.twitter.com/nw06BMaOM9
— UP POLICE (@Uppolice) October 31, 2018
More than 750 artists from various countries have been roped in for the Grand Diwali celebrations. A grand Shobha Yatra will also be taken out on this occasion and it will culminate on the banks of Saryu River.
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According to officials involved in preparations of Deepotsav 2018, 15 cultural groups from the state, along with cultural groups from five different states, will be participating in the event.
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