Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram, was illuminated with more than 36 lakh earthen lamps on Saturday as the city celebrated the 10th edition of Deepotsav along the banks of the Saryu river, officials said.
This year’s celebration saw nearly 10 lakh more lamps lit than in 2025, when the event earned recognition from the Guinness World Records. The ninth edition last year set two records, with 26,17,215 earthen lamps illuminated simultaneously and 2,128 people performing aarti together, according to the state government.
An official statement issued late on Saturday evening said the illumination of over 36 lakh lamps across 56 ghats, including Ram Ki Paidi, created an atmosphere reminiscent of the Treta Yuga, the era associated with Lord Ram.
Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lit lamps at Ram Ki Paidi. The dignitaries also watched a laser show featuring 3D holographic projection mapping and live performances depicting episodes from the Ramayana, organised by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department. Fireworks marked the arrival of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.
Temples, narrow lanes, main roads and government and religious buildings were lit up across the city, and residents lit lamps at their homes. Devotees from across the country and tourists from different parts of the world gathered, with chants of “Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram”, “Jai Siya Ram” and “Siyavar Ramchandra Ki Jai” echoing along the Saryu riverfront.
According to the statement, more than 35,000 volunteers from Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, colleges, intermediate colleges and voluntary organisations helped arrange the lamps, fill them with oil and wicks, and facilitate lighting across the 56 ghats. Lamps were also lit at homes, monasteries, temples, ashrams, public buildings and intersections.
Earlier, the Chief Minister and members of his cabinet performed rituals at Ram Katha Park, offering prayers to Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughna, Hanuman and sages. They applied tilak to the deities, offered garlands and performed worship. Adityanath, saints and ministers also took part in a symbolic coronation of Lord Ram on the stage.
The celebrations included a ceremonial arrival of Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita in a symbolic Pushpak Viman, with flowers showered from a helicopter. Adityanath, his deputy chief ministers, ministers and other public representatives pulled the chariot carrying the symbolic figures, drawing an emotional response from the devotees.
Vedic scholars performed the Saryu aarti in the presence of the symbolic representation of Lord Ram. Radhakrishnan and Adityanath also performed the aarti, along with cabinet members, saints and other dignitaries, at several specially constructed platforms along the riverfront. An indigenous drone show formed images of Lord Ram and scenes from the Ramayana in the Ayodhya sky, while artists from Uttar Pradesh and other states presented folk performances. A grand fireworks display marked the arrival of Lord Ram, the statement added.
Deepotsav has grown over the years into one of the largest festival events in the country, with the state government setting a higher lamp target each time. Since it falls on the eve of Diwali, the festival draws large crowds and has become a major attraction for pilgrims and tourists.
