Valmiki Ramayana Ayodhya Kanda Sarga 48 Shloka 34

तदा then, नष्टज्वलनसन्तापा with the (sacrificial) flames extinguished, प्रशान्ताध्यायसत्कथा with cessation of the study of holy scriptures and sacred recitations, सा नगरी that city, तिमिरेण in darkness, अभिलिप्तेव बभौ looked as if smeared.

With sacrificial fires extinguished and the reading of holy scriptures and sacred recitations stopped, Ayodhya looked as if besmeared with darkness.