Ayodhya celebrates 10th Deepotsav with over 36 lakh diyas
More than 36 lakh earthen lamps were lit across 56 ghats along the Saryu river during the celebrations on Saturday.
Ayodhya celebrated its 10th edition of Deepotsav on Saturday, illuminating more than 36 lakh earthen lamps along the banks of the Saryu river, according to the Deccan Herald. The event saw nearly 10 lakh more lamps lit than in 2025, when the ninth edition set two Guinness World Records for lighting 26,17,215 lamps simultaneously and having 2,128 people perform aarti together.
Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath participated in the festivities by lighting lamps at Ram Ki Paidi. The dignitaries also witnessed a laser show featuring 3D holographic projection mapping and live performances based on the Ramayana.
The celebrations included a drone show depicting scenes from the epic and a ceremonial procession. Symbolic figures of Lord Ram, Lakshman, and Sita arrived in a Pushpak Viman, with flowers being dropped from a helicopter as the tableau entered the city. Chief Minister Adityanath, deputy chief ministers, and other public representatives pulled the chariot carrying the figures.
More than 35,000 volunteers from various colleges and voluntary organisations assisted in arranging and lighting the lamps across 56 ghats. The illumination also extended to temples, monasteries, ashrams, and residential areas throughout the city.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Adityanath and his cabinet members performed rituals and a symbolic coronation of Lord Ram at Ram Katha Park. The event concluded with cultural performances by artists and a fireworks display marking the arrival of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.