Ayodhya Deepotsav 2025: City Glows With 28 Lakh Diyas As City Seeks World Record

The holy city of Ayodhya has come alive with light and devotion as the ninth edition of Deepotsav began on the banks of the Saryu River on Saturday. Organised under the Yogi Adityanath government, this year’s celebration features the lighting of over 28 lakh earthen lamps (diyas) across 56 ghats at Ram ki Paidi, aiming to set a new Guinness World Record with 2,611,101 lit diyas.

Volunteers, guided by Dr Bijendra Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Dr Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University, meticulously prepared the ghats, filling the diyas with mustard oil and arranging them in intricate patterns, including an 80,000-diya swastika design at Ghat No. 10. Dr Singh called participation in the event “a rare privilege in service of Lord Ram.”

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According to Tourism and Culture Minister Jayveer Singh, the number of diyas has increased nearly 15 times since the first Deepotsav in 2017, when 1.71 lakh lamps were lit. “This celebration reflects the growing faith and reverence for Lord Shri Ram,” he said.

The festival will also feature a Maha Aarti performed by 2,100 Vedic scholars, and a 1,100-drone show illustrating iconic scenes from the Ramayana, including Jai Shri Ram, Hanuman carrying the Sanjeevani mountain, and the Ram Temple.

Cultural performances from across India and abroad, including Gotipua dance from Manipur, Kathakali from Kerala, Ramlila from Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Uttarakhand, are being staged at Ramkatha Park. A Deepotsav Fair with over 70 stalls showcases eco-friendly crafts made by women artisans.

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Adding a modern touch, visitors can now relive five key Ramayana episodes, from Ram-Sita’s swayamvar to the coronation, through 3D AR experiences at geo-tagged points. The Deepotsav AR App, available on Google Play and Apple App Store, also allows global devotees to participate virtually via the “Virtual Deepdaan” feature.

The initiative, launched by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, blends devotion with technology as part of the state’s vision for a developed Uttar Pradesh by 2047, fostering pride and cultural participation among youth.