States » NorthPosted at: Nov 7 2026 11:00PM


Over 36 lakh diyas illuminate 56 ghats at UP's 10th Deepotsav

By Manoj Bhadra
Ayodhya, Nov 7 (UNI) More than 36 lakh diyas illuminated the Ram Ki Paidi area across 56 ghats today evening, giving the festival its largest lamp display yet and marking the expansion of an initiative launched by the state government in 2017.
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan said Lord Ram's life showed that greatness rested in character and commitment to duty rather than power or position.
"Today, two yogis are following Lord Ram's ideals and conduct: one is 'Karmayogi' Narendra Modi and the other is Yogi Adityanath," he said.
Calling the Chief Minister "Hindu Hriday Samrat", Radhakrishnan recalled their time as colleagues in Parliament and said Yogi's speeches carried the same vigour then as they did today. He described Lord Ram's temple as a symbol of Hindu self respect and praised Uttar Pradesh's combination of heritage preservation and development.
The Vice President also shared a personal memory of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Responding to Ashok Singhal's appeal for Ram Shila Pujan, his mother had carried a brick on her head for the temple and led the observance, he recalled. She could not have imagined that her son, from an ordinary farming family, would one day participate in a ceremony at Ram Janmabhoomi as India's Vice President, he said.
Linking improved law and order with enterprise, Radhakrishnan cited a man in Varanasi who had left crime and started a small business. He expressed confidence that Uttar Pradesh would lead the states in the journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and progress towards its goal of becoming a USD $1 trillion economy.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today recalled being told, after taking office, that Ayodhya had no tradition of organising Deepotsav. His response was to ask why the city that gave Deepawali to the world should not have its own celebration.
Speaking at the tenth edition, attended by Vice President Radhakrishnan as chief guest and Governor Anandiben Patel, Yogi said the diya illumination, 2,100 drones, multimedia shows and cultural performances were now showcasing "Navya Ayodhya" in all its grandeur.
The Chief Minister also called on those responsible for firing on Lord Ram's devotees and baton charges on saints to apologise before visiting Ayodhya. He urged them to express remorse, saying that Lord Ram was compassionate and would forgive them.
"Ayodhya will never again come under curfew," Yogi said, asserting that rioting and the humiliation of saints would not be tolerated.
Recalling the sacrifices of karsevaks, the struggle of saints and Ashok Singhal's role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, he said the history created by devotees could no longer be erased.
Describing Lord Ram as the lifeforce and self respect of the Indian nation, Yogi said the decorated city evoked the welcome associated with his return after 14 years of exile. He invoked Lord Ram's acceptance of Nishadraj, Mata Shabri and forest communities as an expression of social harmony.
The Chief Minister said projects worth approximately Rs ₹40,000 crore had been taken up or were under way in Ayodhya under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. He pointed to improved approach roads, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, a kitchen named after Mata Shabri and shelters named after Nishadraj as features of the changing pilgrimage city.
Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh, in his message for Deepotsav, connected the celebrations with the livelihoods supporting them.
"A lamp lit in Ayodhya today turns a potter's wheel, fills a homestay room, brings business to local markets and takes Uttar Pradesh's new tourism identity to the world," Singh said.
Tourism Department figures put Ayodhya's annual tourist visits at approximately 29.96 crore in 2025, compared with 1.96 crore in 2018. The festival's local supply network included 25 rural women from Ayodhya and Barabanki who received a ₹12.8 lakh order to produce 1.60 lakh diyas. By October 2026, 197 potters had also received electric pottery wheels to strengthen production capacity.
Governor Patel said Lord Ram's life placed duty above power, responsibility above rights and character above grandeur. She described Ramrajya as a commitment to justice, equality, compassion and public welfare.
Patel said growing visitor numbers were creating employment in accommodation, transport, food, handicrafts, flowers and local products. She also urged people to keep the Saryu clean and make cleanliness, water conservation, tree planting and a plastic free environment part of everyday life.
Around 35,000 volunteers supported the diya arrangements, while participation extended across more than 240 temples and maths and 25 major intersections in Ayodhya.
Earlier in the evening, 2,151 archaks performed Saryu Maha Aarti at Naya Ghat. The Vice President, Governor and Chief Minister joined the ceremony before the main illumination.
Lord Ram's homecoming subsequently unfolded through live performance and digital storytelling on a floating stage at Ram Ki Paidi. A 20 minute projection mapping presentation and an eight minute laser show formed the combined 28 minute visual programme, supported by music, Hindi narration, aerial acts and moving props.
Above the venue, 2,100 Made in India drones created Ramayan themed formations. Choreographed musical green fireworks along the Saryu added to the evening's presentations.
The day had begun with Jaiveer Singh flagging off the Shobhayatra from Saket Mahavidyalaya towards Ramkatha Park. Tableaux depicting the Ramayan's seven kands travelled with folk performances, including Mayur, Dhedhiya, Pai Danda and Badhawa.
In the afternoon, artistes portraying Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman arrived by helicopter in a symbolic Pushpak Viman homecoming. Bharat Milap was followed by worship, aarti and the symbolic Rajyabhishek at Ramkatha Park, with the Vice President participating in the ceremonies and felicitation of saints.
Yogi also symbolically pulled the Ram Rath and viewed an exhibition at Ramkatha Park tracing Ayodhya's historical journey and transformation from 3.28 pm onwards.
Around 1,000 artistes formed part of the wider cultural programme. Indian and international Ramlila presentations included participation from Sri Lanka, South Africa, Thailand and Bali in Indonesia. Bhajans and folk singing were also part of the late evening programme.
The Chief Minister also felicitated watercolour painting winners Richa Kumari, Anshika Mishra, Mahi Verma and Shriyansh Panda, and reel competition winners Harsh Jaiswal, Anushka Shukla and Udhbav Rai at Ramkatha Park.
Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious Affairs, Amrit Abhijat said the focus was on a welcoming visitor experience, local participation and developing Ayodhya as a year round tourism destination.
The Deepotsav Mela and Exhibition at Queen Ho Memorial Park continues until November 9. A further drone show on that date will give Ayodhya residents another opportunity to experience the aerial presentation.
UNI MBD SS
Tags: #Over 36 lakh diyas illuminate 56 ghats at UP's 10th Deepotsav
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